{"id":628688,"date":"2024-06-24T19:13:03","date_gmt":"2024-06-24T23:13:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=628688"},"modified":"2024-10-25T09:53:39","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T13:53:39","slug":"sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide to sensory-friendly doctor visits for children with autism spectrum disorder"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A doctor&rsquo;s visit can make just about any kid feel nervous, but it can be especially challenging for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These children may be easily overwhelmed by the unfamiliar people, locations, and stimuli in the doctor&rsquo;s office. Planning a sensory-friendly doctor&rsquo;s visit for children with ASD can help reduce some of the stress and anxiety caused by these unfamiliarities, leading to a smoother experience for everyone.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"why-doctors-visits-are-challenging-for-kids-with-autism\"><b>Why doctor&#8217;s visits are challenging for kids with autism<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Children diagnosed with autism are often hypersensitive to stimuli such as lights, sounds, touch, and even smells, which can <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiographyonline.com\/article\/S1078-8174(23)00181-5\/fulltext\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cause anxiety and behavioral issues<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. They can frequently encounter several of these stimuli during doctors&rsquo; appointments (many of which will be completely new to the child), and that can feel overwhelming. Since healthcare professionals may be unaware of your child&rsquo;s sensory needs, creating a sensory-friendly doctor&rsquo;s appointment may initially fall on you.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"preparing-your-child-for-the-appointment\"><b>Preparing your child for the appointment<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chla.org\/blog\/advice-experts\/easing-clinic-visits-kids-autism\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">little preparation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will go a long way to ensure a sensory-friendly experience before, during, and after the appointment. Children with ASD often feel more comfortable when they know what to expect, making preparation key to minimizing anxiety.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"identifying-triggers\"><b>Identifying triggers<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may be aware of your child&rsquo;s sensory triggers in many situations. However, it may be difficult to predict what may upset your child during a doctor&rsquo;s visit, especially if you&rsquo;re visiting a new doctor or office location.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some common triggers in healthcare facilities include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bright lights (waiting room lights, exam lights)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loud, unfamiliar noises (machine noises, the crinkle sound of exam table paper)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being touched during an exam<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cold temperatures<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unpredictable wait times<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dentists using toothpaste with an unpleasant <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/autismspectrumnews.org\/meeting-the-sensory-needs-of-autistic-patients-with-dental-care-challenges\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">texture or flavor<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/common-sensory-sensitivities.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-629556\" src=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/common-sensory-sensitivities.png\" alt=\"A chart of common sensory triggers\" width=\"1716\" height=\"2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/common-sensory-sensitivities.png 1716w, https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/common-sensory-sensitivities-257x300.png 257w, https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/common-sensory-sensitivities-879x1024.png 879w, https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/common-sensory-sensitivities-768x895.png 768w, https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/common-sensory-sensitivities-1318x1536.png 1318w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1716px) 100vw, 1716px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"using-tools-and-techniques-for-reducing-anxiety\"><b>Using tools and techniques for reducing anxiety<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unfamiliar situations are often one of the greatest challenges for children with autism. To reduce your child&rsquo;s anxiety, familiarize them with the location, sequence of events, and medical objects they might experience during the visit. You may find it helpful to visit the doctor&rsquo;s office or drive by beforehand. Help your child feel like they have a<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayinstitute.org\/news\/acl\/asd-and-dd-child-focused\/helping-children-with-special-needs-express-preferences-and-make-choices\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">choice<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by asking if they&rsquo;d like to visit the location before their appointment.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"explaining-the-visit\"><b>Explaining the visit<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Explaining the purpose of the visit may help reduce your child&rsquo;s anxiety. Although it&rsquo;s perfectly normal for you to also feel nervous about the visit, you should <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/healthcare.utah.edu\/the-scope\/health-library\/all\/2015\/03\/tips-make-dentist-visits-easier-children-autism\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">speak calmly<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and use<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/relationalminds.com.au\/tips-for-taking-a-child-with-autism-to-the-gp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">positive<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> language during this conversation. Explain what <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">may<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> happen, not what should <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">not<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> happen. If your child senses your nervousness, they may become nervous themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/autismlittlelearners.com\/going-to-the-doctor-social-story\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visual stories<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are a great way to explain the visit to your child and tell them what to expect. Try to find a visual story specific to the purpose of your child&rsquo;s visit (e.g.,<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/autismlittlelearners.com\/getting-shot-story\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">getting a shot<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). If you use a visual story for a general check-up but the appointment is for a vaccination, your child may become distressed when the doctor unexpectedly pulls out a needle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.surreyplace.ca\/resources\/how-to-use-a-visual-schedule-to-support-routines\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visual schedules<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> provide a structured way for your child to understand the sequence of events during a doctor&rsquo;s appointment. Before the visit, explain how they should behave during each step of the appointment by giving examples of what the doctor will ask them to do (e.g., open their mouth to have their temperature taken or take a deep breath when being examined by a stethoscope). As part of the visual schedule, you can also try to find photos of the doctor and staff performing the exam.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"role-playing-the-visit\"><b>Role-playing the visit<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Create a mock visit to the doctor&rsquo;s office by<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/edge.sitecorecloud.io\/cnh-e6162ccc\/media\/cnhs-site\/files\/departments\/casd\/autism-visual-toolkit\/visual-support-toolkit-instructions-updated.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">role-playing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to help your child become familiar with the equipment the doctor will use during the visit (stethoscope, blood pressure sleeve, thermometer). You can pretend to be the doctor and use either toys or actual medical items to simulate the items the doctor will use during the visit. As with visual stories, it&rsquo;s best to be as specific as possible to help your child anticipate what to expect during the visit. If you use toys, try to include details about the sensations your child will experience during each step:&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The stethoscope may be uncomfortably cold.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The blood pressure sleeve may be uncomfortably tight.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The doctor may need to shine a very bright light in their eyes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unless you&rsquo;re a medical professional, there&rsquo;s a limit to what you can perform during role-playing. Let your child know that the exact in-office procedure will be different.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"emphasizing-the-benefits-of-the-doctors-visit\"><b>Emphasizing the benefits of the doctor&#8217;s visit<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Explain that the current visit will help prevent more invasive appointments in the future. If you&rsquo;re there to address a specific medical issue, let your child know they&rsquo;ll feel better after the visit. Ask the doctor to provide a recovery timeline to help your child understand what to expect.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"collaborating-with-healthcare-professionals\"><b>Collaborating with healthcare professionals<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finding the right doctor for your child&rsquo;s specific needs may be a complex process, but it&rsquo;s worthwhile, as your child may see the same doctor multiple times for years. Communicating your child&rsquo;s needs with healthcare professionals is an important step in this process.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"communicating-your-childs-specific-needs\"><b>Communicating your child&rsquo;s specific needs<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since each child is unique, it is helpful to email or call the doctor&rsquo;s office before visiting to explain your child&rsquo;s specific needs. You can request<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/journals.lww.com\/jrnldbp\/abstract\/2014\/04000\/parent_and_provider_perspectives_on_procedural.7.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">longer consultation sessions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to allow your doctor to explain the procedure to your child and conduct the visit at a slower pace. You may also choose to request a morning appointment to reduce waiting times.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&rsquo;ve had previous success with certain strategies, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/healthcare.utah.edu\/the-scope\/health-library\/all\/2015\/03\/tips-make-dentist-visits-easier-children-autism\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">let your healthcare provider know<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">! The more information your doctor has, the easier it will be for them to understand your child&rsquo;s specific needs and accommodate them.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"planning-for-sensory-accommodations\"><b>Planning for sensory accommodations<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even in the waiting room, where many things might seem beyond your control, there are steps you can take. Although there&#8217;s no guarantee the staff will accommodate every request, you shouldn&rsquo;t hesitate to ask for accommodations while you wait to see the doctor and during the exam:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Schedule appointments during less busy times to reduce the number of unfamiliar people in the waiting room.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ask if there&rsquo;s any way you can help with the procedure, such as holding <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/westsidechildrenstherapy.com\/10-tips-for-bringing-your-special-needs-child-to-the-doctor-or-dentist\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">certain medical instruments<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Request a separate waiting area.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Request the doctor and nurses to use your child&rsquo;s preferred method of communication.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ask if the staff can turn the music down or off.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ask if the staff can dim the waiting room lights.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"sensory-friendly-waiting-room-strategies\"><b>Sensory-friendly waiting room strategies<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite its potential for stress, with its unpredictability, noise, and harsh lighting, you can still manage the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pathfindersforautism.org\/articles\/healthcare\/pfa-tips-at-the-doctors-office\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">waiting room<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> positively. Even if appointments run over&mdash;causing unexpected delays that might upset your child&mdash;there are ways to avoid anxiety.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"bringing-sensory-friendly-waiting-room-activities-or-toys\"><b>Bringing sensory-friendly waiting room activities or toys<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Toys like coloring books and fidget toys can help your child pass the time in the waiting room. Bring activities you can wrap up relatively quickly to make it easier to transition smoothly when it&#8217;s time to see the doctor. Focusing on easy-to-finish activities can also prevent frustration and help maintain a calm environment.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"minimizing-overstimulation\"><b>Minimizing overstimulation<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While you can&#8217;t control everything at the doctor&#8217;s office, there are still strategies to help manage overstimulation. The staff may not be able to fulfill your every request, but you can take steps to reduce overstimulation, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Giving your child <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayinstitute.org\/news\/acl\/asd-and-dd-child-focused\/preparing-a-child-with-autism-for-doctor-or-dentist-appointments\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">noise-canceling headphones<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> if they are sensitive to sounds.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Giving your child sunglasses to help with light sensitivity.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Waiting in your car with your child until their appointment.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"during-the-appointment\"><b>During the appointment<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Discuss your child&rsquo;s needs with the doctor beforehand. During the examination, use calming techniques like deep breathing or distract your child with a favorite toy to reduce stress. By addressing these challenges proactively, you can help make the appointment more comfortable for your child.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"carrying-comforting-objects\"><b>Carrying comforting objects<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Examination rooms are filled with unfamiliar equipment, bright lights, and cold medical items. Bringing a comforting object into an unfamiliar place may help reduce your child&rsquo;s anxiety. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.childrenshospital.org\/sites\/default\/files\/media_migration\/6cf146c4-a8c2-4678-940f-b79b0832d639.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Comforting objects<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can be anything, such as your child&rsquo;s favorite toy or blanket.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"creating-distractions-during-the-procedure\"><b>Creating distractions during the procedure<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Focusing your child&rsquo;s attention on their favorite activity or toy will reduce your child&rsquo;s anxiety during a procedure, especially parts where the doctor is touching them. Some great examples to create distractions include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Counting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reciting the alphabet<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Talking about one of their special interests<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Singing a favorite song<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"encouraging-communication-and-expression-of-feelings\"><b>Encouraging communication and expression of feelings<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encourage your child to express any uncomfortable feelings or sensations during an exam or procedure. If at any point they become agitated, it may be appropriate to<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.surreyplace.ca\/resources\/planning-a-successful-medical-visit-tips-for-parents-of-children-with-autism\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">end the appointment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, as a negative experience may linger with your child and cause them to dread future appointments. Assuming the visit is not an emergency, it&rsquo;s almost always possible to reschedule for a later date.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"after-the-appointment\"><b>After the appointment<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since every child reacts to doctors&rsquo; appointments differently, reflect on the experience and determine what worked and didn&rsquo;t work for your child. Doing a few key activities after the appointment can help you better understand your child&#8217;s feelings and reactions and prepare for more successful visits in the future.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Praising and rewarding your child post-visit<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reward your child for attending the appointment, even if it achieved nothing (i.e., the doctor didn&rsquo;t complete the exam). Simply attending the appointment and familiarizing your child with the doctor&rsquo;s office is a success!&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Praise specific behaviors that helped the appointment go smoothly to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/blog\/making-visits-to-the-dentist-easier-for-people-with-autism-spectrum-disorder-202106292513\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reinforce these behaviors<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for future visits. For example, you should compliment your child on how they held still while the doctor listened to their heartbeat with a stethoscope.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"reviewing-and-reflecting-on-the-experience\"><b>Reviewing and reflecting on the experience<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your child may be reluctant to answer questions in an unfamiliar setting with unfamiliar people, like healthcare staff. Asking questions in a familiar environment after the appointment (e.g., on the car ride home) will allow them to express their feelings and concerns comfortably. If they express any anxieties about the appointment, listen closely and reassure them that you&rsquo;ll address them for future visits.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"asking-questions-after-the-appointment\"><b>Asking questions after the appointment<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adjust your questions based on your child&#8217;s specific communication abilities and preferences. Be sure to ask if anything made them feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable during the visit. End your questions on a positive note by asking them what they enjoyed during the visit, such as whether they enjoyed playing with their comforting objects.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"planning-for-future-visits\"><b>Planning for future visits<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that you know how the appointment made your child feel, make a plan with them to help the next visit go smoother. If the first appointment didn&rsquo;t go well, it&rsquo;s important to reinforce any positive behaviors during the appointment to help your child move beyond this negative experience. Otherwise, one bad experience may create a long-term fear of doctors that could make every other visit difficult for you and your child.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lifelong participation in healthcare (especially preventive healthcare) is critical to ensuring your child lives a long, healthy life. Doctor&rsquo;s visits won&rsquo;t necessarily be easy, but each new visit should go more smoothly than the last and help your child eventually become more comfortable.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"additional-resources-for-parents\"><b>Additional resources for parents<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember, there&rsquo;s no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting a child with autism. You&rsquo;ll have to figure out which of these strategies works best for your child. By communicating with your child and healthcare providers, you&rsquo;ll ensure your child&rsquo;s specific needs are met.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The resources below provide more information on how to accomplish this and help you and your child navigate doctor&rsquo;s visits.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"asd-friendly-healthcare-professionals-and-clinics\"><b>ASD-friendly healthcare professionals and clinics<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/source.autismsociety.org\/autismsource\/s\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AutismSource&trade; resource database<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> provides a database of resources and affiliates around the USA.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/autismcarenetwork.org\/locations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Autism Care Network<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> contains a list of 18 centers that are committed to serving patients diagnosed with autism.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medifind.com\/conditions\/autism-spectrum-disorder\/447\/doctors\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MediFind<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> provides a database of healthcare providers who specialize in patients diagnosed with autism.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/abaresources.com\/find-a-therapist\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ABA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> maintains a searchable list of therapists with credentials appropriate for addressing the needs of children diagnosed with autism.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"online-forums-and-communities-for-parental-support\"><b>Online forums and communities for parental support<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/community.whattoexpect.com\/forums\/autism.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What to Expect<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> contains an active community of almost 5,000 parents of autistic children, who provide advice and reassurance on issues specific to children diagnosed with autism.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/community.autism.org.uk\/f\/parents-and-carers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Autistic Society<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the UK maintains a forum with almost 6,000 discussion threads from parents of autistic children.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"relevant-books-and-audio-visual-guides\"><b>Relevant books and audio-visual guides<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Written by psychology professors at the University of Utah and the University of Washington, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A Parent&#8217;s Guide to Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism: How to Meet the Challenges and Help Your Child Thriv<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">e provides information for parents to help their children navigate difficult situations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Explosive Child<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by Dr. Ross Greene contains ways to work with your child to help manage their behavior and understand the reasons for their behavior.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Specific visual stories will help your child know exactly what to expect based on the purpose of the visit. You&rsquo;ll find visit-specific visual stores<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.childrensnational.org\/get-care\/departments\/autism-behavioral-consult\/visual-supports-and-resources\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.connecticutchildrens.org\/patients-families\/planning-your-visit\/what-expect-pictures\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/edge.sitecorecloud.io\/cnh-e6162ccc\/media\/cnhs-site\/files\/departments\/casd\/autism-visual-toolkit\/final-visual-schedule-my-doctor-visit.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visual schedules<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (PDF) help give your child a better understanding of the general timeline of a doctor&rsquo;s appointment. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.daycape.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DayCape<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> allows users to create visual schedules for a variety of tasks, including doctor&rsquo;s visits.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A doctor&rsquo;s visit can make just about any kid feel nervous, but it can be especially challenging for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These children may be easily overwhelmed by the unfamiliar people, locations, and stimuli in the doctor&rsquo;s office. Planning a sensory-friendly doctor&rsquo;s visit for children with ASD can help reduce some of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":628690,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8029],"tags":[3564,729],"coauthors":[8861],"class_list":["post-628688","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-education","tag-children","tag-doctor-visits","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Guide to sensory-friendly doctor visits for children with autism spectrum disorder<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Healthcare visits can be overstimulating for some children with autism. Discover how to manage a sensory-friendly doctor visit from start to finish.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Guide to sensory-friendly doctor visits for children with autism spectrum disorder\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Healthcare visits can be overstimulating for some children with autism. Discover how to manage a sensory-friendly doctor visit from start to finish.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Checkup\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/singlecare\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-06-24T23:13:03+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-10-25T13:53:39+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"SingleCare Team\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@SingleCare\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@SingleCare\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"SingleCare Team\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"SingleCare Team\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/403ef50a9f402fb9ce49c429659555f5\"},\"headline\":\"Guide to sensory-friendly doctor visits for children with autism spectrum disorder\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-06-24T23:13:03+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-25T13:53:39+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2291,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd.webp\",\"keywords\":[\"Children\",\"Doctor visits\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Health Education\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd\\\/\",\"name\":\"Guide to sensory-friendly doctor visits for children with autism spectrum disorder\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd.webp\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-06-24T23:13:03+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-25T13:53:39+00:00\",\"description\":\"Healthcare visits can be overstimulating for some children with autism. Discover how to manage a sensory-friendly doctor visit from start to finish.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd.webp\",\"width\":1920,\"height\":1080,\"caption\":\"A child and a doctor at a table with sensory items: Guide to sensory-friendly doctor visits children with ASD\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Guide to sensory-friendly doctor visits for children with autism spectrum disorder\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"The Checkup, a health blog by SingleCare\",\"description\":\"Read the latest in prescription, wellness, and healthcare news\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"SingleCare\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/01\\\/placeholderimage-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/01\\\/placeholderimage-1.jpg\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":630,\"caption\":\"SingleCare\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/singlecare\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/SingleCare\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/singlecare\\\/?hl=en\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/singlecare\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/channel\\\/UCd9kiPIjCQw95-2BHCYePKA\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/403ef50a9f402fb9ce49c429659555f5\",\"name\":\"SingleCare Team\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/7c56ea35da6164263b446caa5424dd8beeb331518803b6043b40932812936fb2?s=96&d=mm&r=gcda8e0f4c5718cb7f68c0ee812f6fafb\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/7c56ea35da6164263b446caa5424dd8beeb331518803b6043b40932812936fb2?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/7c56ea35da6164263b446caa5424dd8beeb331518803b6043b40932812936fb2?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"SingleCare Team\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/singlecareteam\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Guide to sensory-friendly doctor visits for children with autism spectrum disorder","description":"Healthcare visits can be overstimulating for some children with autism. Discover how to manage a sensory-friendly doctor visit from start to finish.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Guide to sensory-friendly doctor visits for children with autism spectrum disorder","og_description":"Healthcare visits can be overstimulating for some children with autism. Discover how to manage a sensory-friendly doctor visit from start to finish.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd\/","og_site_name":"The Checkup","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/singlecare","article_published_time":"2024-06-24T23:13:03+00:00","article_modified_time":"2024-10-25T13:53:39+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1920,"height":1080,"url":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd.webp","type":"image\/webp"}],"author":"SingleCare Team","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@SingleCare","twitter_site":"@SingleCare","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"SingleCare Team","Est. reading time":"10 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd\/"},"author":{"name":"SingleCare Team","@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/403ef50a9f402fb9ce49c429659555f5"},"headline":"Guide to sensory-friendly doctor visits for children with autism spectrum disorder","datePublished":"2024-06-24T23:13:03+00:00","dateModified":"2024-10-25T13:53:39+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd\/"},"wordCount":2291,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd.webp","keywords":["Children","Doctor visits"],"articleSection":["Health Education"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd\/","url":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd\/","name":"Guide to sensory-friendly doctor visits for children with autism spectrum disorder","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd.webp","datePublished":"2024-06-24T23:13:03+00:00","dateModified":"2024-10-25T13:53:39+00:00","description":"Healthcare visits can be overstimulating for some children with autism. Discover how to manage a sensory-friendly doctor visit from start to finish.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd.webp","width":1920,"height":1080,"caption":"A child and a doctor at a table with sensory items: Guide to sensory-friendly doctor visits children with ASD"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/sensory-friendly-doctor-visits-for-children-with-asd\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Guide to sensory-friendly doctor visits for children with autism spectrum disorder"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/","name":"The Checkup, a health blog by SingleCare","description":"Read the latest in prescription, wellness, and healthcare news","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"SingleCare","url":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/placeholderimage-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/placeholderimage-1.jpg","width":1200,"height":630,"caption":"SingleCare"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/singlecare","https:\/\/x.com\/SingleCare","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/singlecare\/?hl=en","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/singlecare\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCd9kiPIjCQw95-2BHCYePKA"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/403ef50a9f402fb9ce49c429659555f5","name":"SingleCare Team","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/7c56ea35da6164263b446caa5424dd8beeb331518803b6043b40932812936fb2?s=96&d=mm&r=gcda8e0f4c5718cb7f68c0ee812f6fafb","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/7c56ea35da6164263b446caa5424dd8beeb331518803b6043b40932812936fb2?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/7c56ea35da6164263b446caa5424dd8beeb331518803b6043b40932812936fb2?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"SingleCare Team"},"url":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/author\/singlecareteam\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/628688","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=628688"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/628688\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/628690"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=628688"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=628688"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=628688"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=628688"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}