Going to the doctor or dentist can cause anxiety for anyone. However, for individuals with autism, particularly those who have significant sensory issues, this experience can be quite frightening. For example, these environments are often extremely bright and produce specific, yet unfamiliar smells, which can be overwhelming. In addition, many adults with autism do not like others coming too close or touching them, which doctors, dentists, and hair stylists must do.
While adults with autism have likely been exposed to these environments numerous times throughout their lives, that does not make the experience any less stressful. That is why certain steps need to be taken to reduce ongoing anxiety, helping individuals become less fearful in the future. The goal is to help these individuals develop coping mechanisms.
At the Adult Autism Center, we have developed a program intended to decrease anxiety in medical, dental, and hair salon environments through community partnerships. Our caring team and researched methods make all the difference, offering a process that encourages and supports our clients through any obstacle.
Like all of our programs, the Medical, Dental, & Hair Salon program is intended to help adults with autism live, work, learn, and play in their communities. Learning to cope with these types of spaces will help adults with autism develop skills that are transferable across a wide range of environments.
Clients will be able to practice the experience of going to the doctor, going to the dentist, and going to get their hair cut in a more controlled environment. These experiences can be difficult for individuals with autism, so by practicing in a safe space, they are able to visit these places outside of the Adult Autism Center without experiencing as much distress.
Calming strategies and de-escalation strategies will be taught to help clients minimize anxiety associated with these spaces. Education will also be provided about what the space is for, what will happen, and what clients should expect in these spaces.
The goal here is to better prepare our clients, ensuring greater progress and independence. While there are general strategies taught, we consider each individual’s personal goals, creating a road map based on their strengths and areas of improvement.
If you or a loved one are 18 years or older and have autism or other developmental disabilities, we welcome you to contact the Adult Autism Center. You can speak with our dedicated staff about this program, as well as the other programs currently available to support adults with autism. We invite you to submit our referral form so that we can learn more about you or your loved one.
Individuals will be provided with opportunities to visit with medical, dental, and hair salon professionals from within the community. During this process, each client will be assessed based on their ability to leverage the skills they've learned throughout the Medical, Dental, & Hair Salon program. The goal is to improve each individual's ability to cope and participate. However, it's also important that adults with autism remain comfortable and safe. This will be achieved through the skills they learn, as well as repetition. As they become more familiar with what these types of environments, these experiencing will not be as frightening.
Each individual is unique, which is both acknowledged and celebrated at the Adult Autism Center. In some cases, adults with autism struggle most with the social aspects of this program, whereas others become overstimulated. When it comes to placement, "when" and "where" are both taken into consideration. Where these individuals are placed will depend on numerous variables, based on their initial assessment; and then timing will also play a key role. Assessments continue throughout the program so that adjustments can be made.
Upon enrolling in the Arts and Crafts Studio program, the staff at the Adult Autism Center will measure client growth based on their independent engagement in activities. The goal here is to turn arts and crafts into skill-building opportunities that spark new interests and promote greater well-being.
Each client’s individual progress will be measured by a decrease in symptoms of anxiety when utilizing these spaces and when they go to their doctor, dentist, and to get their hair cut.
All of our programs focus on person-centered skills, taking into account each client’s unique behaviors, as well as their greatest strengths and challenges. The ultimate goal of this program is to create a positive experience while setting individuals up for the future.
Do you have a loved one or family member that would benefit from one of our programs?
Fill out the form below and refer them today!