By Christine Denise Autism Mom and Contributing Writer for As You Are, a virtual clinic dramatically increasing access to early autism diagnostic services through the use of exclusively telehealth appointments   When it was our turn to have our son evaluated for an autism diagnosis, the pandemic had just begun. Doctors’ offices were canceling appointments left and right. We were holding our breath that the appointment we had waited months to get for an evaluation would end up getting postponed.  More months would pass. Access to autism services would pass. The potential for progress would pass. Then, the pediatrician asked if we could do the appointment virtually. We jumped at the chance, eager to have the appointment rather than continue the wait for an evaluation. Admittedly though, we were a bit concerned that our son would not have a traditional evaluation.  What if she missed one of his behaviors because it was off-screen? What if she didn’t hear him? Or see everything he was doing? Instead, it turned out to be one of the better experiences we’ve had. The doctor that day got the best view of our son than any other doctor, therapist or evaluator who has ever worked with him. And here are a few reasons why:   1. Natural environment   One of the biggest advantages of the virtual appointment was the doctor got to observe our son in his natural environment. At home – the space where he is most comfortable and most likely to be himself. There were no new humans to awkwardly interact with and cause him to lose focus on displaying his typical behaviors. No new sterile space to react to. No new and unfamiliar sounds, smells or sights to process. The session allowed the doctor to actually see our son and not just get to know him through the words we use to describe him. We realized after the experience how much it meant for her to really not interact with our son or us much and just strictly observe him try to do the tasks she asked with the objects he is used to using. When she wanted him to try to color, we gave him the markers he is used to at home – not a new set of markers in an unfamiliar place that he would likely spend his time examining or throwing because he didn’t like them. She got to see how he ate and reacted to certain textures we gave him at the table where he is used to eating, not at a table where he’s never sat. Taking an autistic child like our son out of their natural environment alters their behavior significantly, so we felt confident this doctor actually got to know him in order to make a very educated diagnosis even though we feared it wouldn’t. 2. One less hassle Every time I take our son to a doctor’s appointment, and my husband can’t go, my level of anxiety rises. The hassle begins with interrupting my son’s typical daily routine. Getting him into the car and going somewhere he is not expecting – a task that can be overwhelming for autistic children who thrive on structure and routine. Then comes the front desks, getting visitor passes, checking in – all are experiences that for typical children and their families aren’t even considered as part of the journey to a doctor’s appointment. For me, it can be a lot. The entire time I’m worried my son is going to bolt from me as I’m struggling to sign the seemingly 1,000 pages of permission slips, insurance forms, getting name tags that he will fight me to wear, getting our temperatures taken, being asked to make him wear a mask he won’t wear and then having to explain why to usually unsympathetic ears. Then, there’s the wait in the waiting room, where my son will inevitably want to explore and do something inappropriate while I’m still trying to fill out all those forms. Then, there’s the wait inside the exam room where there’s absolutely nothing to do to keep an autistic mind calm. Then, there’s the meeting with the doctor, which is also stressful because I’m so focused on my son and what he is doing – or not doing – that I can easily miss what the doctor is telling me, especially if my son is crying or trying to get out of the room. Virtual appointments eliminate all of that stress. This is kind of similar to the first point in that taking an autistic child out of their natural environment or typical schedule can be a huge undertaking for some families. Any disruption to routine and familiar places is much too overwhelming for some kiddos, and, in turn, their parents. The level of anxiety for the caregivers of autistic children rises with every trip outside the norm, and doctor’s offices and appointments can be among some of the dreaded outings. Eliminating that from the equation can lead to better outcomes and care. 3. Different opinions Anytime I can tell a doctor about my son, I do. I have wanted as many medical opinions about him as possible, from as many specialists who have seen kiddos like him. All I really know is him. And before him, I didn’t know anyone like him. Having the ability to get opinions from doctors and experts across the country who know other kiddos like him is an incredible opportunity for families with autistic children, and you don’t have to take them across the country or even leave the comfort of your home to do it. 4. Accessibility I often wonder about how families who have less access to resources due to socioeconomic status make it with their autistic children. How does someone who doesn’t have access to transportation make it to a doctor’s appointment? How does someone who works multiple low paying jobs take time off work to take their child to an appointment? I believe virtual appointments … Continue reading 5 Reasons Why Virtual Care Is Great for Children With Autism and Their Families