Child with HFA refuses blood test

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Elfrida

Sun, Mar 03 2024, 7:21 am

amother Snow wrote:

[I]

The emla needs to be applied about a half hour at least before hand. It does work. I’ve tried it on my son. Who had asd non compliant. When we got to the clinic I distracted him with a book & nurse did it

It works physically, but that doesn't often help when the child is convinced they are being tortured.

Good that it helped your son, but in so many cases it makes little to no difference.

imasinger

Sun, Mar 03 2024, 7:24 am

Emla really helped my HFA DC with needle anxiety. Also, something on a screen to look at for the few minutes of procedure. Even if you generally don't allow screens, this is a good time for an exception.

You might also look for or create some kind of social thinking story about things that are unpleasant but required. Let him see that lots of others have this experience, and how we differentiate between "must-do's", choices, and (sadly) mistreatment (you don't want him to think he's required to submit to a bully). Once you have something that works, read it daily, if you can.

oneofakind

Sun, Mar 03 2024, 9:18 am

I was given some sort of spray immediately before an IV and it did numb the area.
The social story idea is excellent, start there. Then the cream and home visit if you could.
Hatzlacha Raba!

amother

DarkOrange

Sun, Mar 03 2024, 9:26 am

Regular lab with another person to help.
Long ER Wait will cause more deregulation . Btdt

amother

Cerise

Sun, Mar 03 2024, 9:36 am

Hope something works for your child, but for my pandas child that a routine throat culture leaves everyone in the room traumatized we couldn't get to do bloodwork. I really needed it to make best use of an expensive appointment with pandas specialist and we lost gave up. We basically said a lot for that session but really was little worth without bloodwork and his cooperation for specialist to do some physical work on him reflex related gif just didn't cooperate

amother

Blushpink

Sun, Mar 03 2024, 10:22 am

where I live they offer special 1 hour appt slots for blood tests for autistic kids.

in my experience with a non autistic, slightly anxious child, but not at all like in your situation, I gave the numbing cream because he was just a toddler and he matter of fact told me that it still hurt and he was insulted that I had lied that it wouldnt hurt.

It could be that the emla cream will take away the fear of the pain, but it doesnt actually numb underneath the skin. only the top layer of skin. just something to keep in mind.

amother

Linen

Sun, Mar 03 2024, 10:24 am

Good advice here. We have it done at the pediatrician, but we arrange abunch of things in advance. Yes to the cream or spray and to screens, and very cold things can work- not on the site, but elsewhere. So a really desired ice pop eaten while it's happening can be a distracter physically in surprising ways. And make sure that everything for the blood tets is set up before hand but in a place he doesn't have to look at (talk to the doctor or clinic and have them set up before calling you in, and position the chair not facing it.)

IME, the worst thing you can do is tell him it won't hurt, or won't hurt as much as he thinks. In my family, we hear the words "pinch" or "pressure" and know it's going to be agony. Everyone feels pain differently. Say that it will hurt, and then it will be over, and these are things he can do to help afterwards if it still hurts, including not having to do normally required things for a bit.

amother

Crimson

Sun, Mar 03 2024, 11:09 am

Whatever you do, please do NOT try to minimize it by saying "it's just a pinch". It's not. He'll just think you're out to trick him. Rather empathize. Imagine if you were in labor - how would you want a doula or nurse to relate to you? Empathize, support, don't dismiss his pain.

amother

Winterberry

Sun, Mar 03 2024, 11:09 pm

I find EMLA needs 1.5 hours to work for such a thing.

amother

Hydrangea

Sun, Mar 03 2024, 11:25 pm

Send him with your husband, put cream on and let your husband go with him for a prize afterwards.

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