For years we’ve been going to ortho consults for Hayden. It’s been known that he needed braces but doctors agreed with me that he wasn’t ready for the process.
Apparently applying braces involves gross-tasting glue, bright lights to dry the glue, putting lots of metal in your mouth (obviously), loud noises, and holding your mouth open for a very long time.
Even just a year ago Hayden would probably have run from the room screaming and panicking.
A few weeks ago Hayden got braces. Before the appointment he expressed repeatedly that he was very scared. But he did so calmly and quietly. He sat calmly and conversed with the dental assistant. He complied with instructions and asked questions. He didn’t want to hold his Mario toy because he said he would be embarrassed, but he did hold my hand when I offered it. The appointment took nearly two hours.
We were recommended from a friend to Dr. Rebecca Bolon for orthodontia and I’m so grateful! The 1st orthodontist I tried wouldn’t let me back for the appointment with him. The 2nd orthodontist wanted $8500 for braces. Dr. Bolon accepts Medicaid for those patients whose orthodontia needs qualify as medical. Hayden has Medicaid because of his disability, and they approved his orthodontia procedures so we will not pay for the majority of his treatment. This is a huge blessing to us as a family with so many other medical bills.
Medicaid is why we went for a consult with Dr. Bolon, but it’s certainly not the main reason I loved working with her. She and her staff were understanding of Hayden and his special needs from the start. They were kind and patient with both of us and the doctor herself explained the process when I asked. She has taken her time with us at all of his appointments, without seeming at all rushed. She has a private room available for those with special needs, with calming music, a fun light, and a more quiet space. She also helps train therapy dogs, so many months of the year she will have a therapy dog at the office for patients if they request. Hayden loved having the therapy dog in his appointment, and I feel that his presence helped calm him.
When we first arrived, Hayden went to use the restroom and I mentioned to the assistant that Hayden may need a baby tooth pulled, but not to mention it to him until the very end because at our last appointment he panicked when this was mentioned. She later asked the doctor to step out of the room so that the two of them could talk about this, so they weren’t doing it in front of Hayden. They then waited until the end to pull the tooth, first using numbing cream and helping to calm him about the process, but also doing it quickly so he didn’t have time to overthink it.
I can’t honestly think of a way this could have gone better. Hayden really needs these braces, and I’m so thankful that he has an amazing team to help him through it. In the world of special needs medical treatment, positive experiences have unfortunately not been the norm for us and so I want to really express my gratitude to these professionals.
I’m also overwhelmed with pride at how well Hayden did at the appointment. The evening and next few days were a little rough for him, getting used to a new way of eating, but he handled it so much better than I could have dreamed even a year ago. He has come so far and continues to amaze me. Thank you to everyone who has helped him get here. Thank you to Hayden for being amazing.
He doesn’t feel comfortable showing off his new braces just yet, so here’s a picture of him petting the therapy dog while waiting.
#Grateful
#AutismIsTreatable
#FUA
Apparently applying braces involves gross-tasting glue, bright lights to dry the glue, putting lots of metal in your mouth (obviously), loud noises, and holding your mouth open for a very long time.
Even just a year ago Hayden would probably have run from the room screaming and panicking.
A few weeks ago Hayden got braces. Before the appointment he expressed repeatedly that he was very scared. But he did so calmly and quietly. He sat calmly and conversed with the dental assistant. He complied with instructions and asked questions. He didn’t want to hold his Mario toy because he said he would be embarrassed, but he did hold my hand when I offered it. The appointment took nearly two hours.
We were recommended from a friend to Dr. Rebecca Bolon for orthodontia and I’m so grateful! The 1st orthodontist I tried wouldn’t let me back for the appointment with him. The 2nd orthodontist wanted $8500 for braces. Dr. Bolon accepts Medicaid for those patients whose orthodontia needs qualify as medical. Hayden has Medicaid because of his disability, and they approved his orthodontia procedures so we will not pay for the majority of his treatment. This is a huge blessing to us as a family with so many other medical bills.
Medicaid is why we went for a consult with Dr. Bolon, but it’s certainly not the main reason I loved working with her. She and her staff were understanding of Hayden and his special needs from the start. They were kind and patient with both of us and the doctor herself explained the process when I asked. She has taken her time with us at all of his appointments, without seeming at all rushed. She has a private room available for those with special needs, with calming music, a fun light, and a more quiet space. She also helps train therapy dogs, so many months of the year she will have a therapy dog at the office for patients if they request. Hayden loved having the therapy dog in his appointment, and I feel that his presence helped calm him.
When we first arrived, Hayden went to use the restroom and I mentioned to the assistant that Hayden may need a baby tooth pulled, but not to mention it to him until the very end because at our last appointment he panicked when this was mentioned. She later asked the doctor to step out of the room so that the two of them could talk about this, so they weren’t doing it in front of Hayden. They then waited until the end to pull the tooth, first using numbing cream and helping to calm him about the process, but also doing it quickly so he didn’t have time to overthink it.
I can’t honestly think of a way this could have gone better. Hayden really needs these braces, and I’m so thankful that he has an amazing team to help him through it. In the world of special needs medical treatment, positive experiences have unfortunately not been the norm for us and so I want to really express my gratitude to these professionals.
I’m also overwhelmed with pride at how well Hayden did at the appointment. The evening and next few days were a little rough for him, getting used to a new way of eating, but he handled it so much better than I could have dreamed even a year ago. He has come so far and continues to amaze me. Thank you to everyone who has helped him get here. Thank you to Hayden for being amazing.
He doesn’t feel comfortable showing off his new braces just yet, so here’s a picture of him petting the therapy dog while waiting.
#Grateful
#AutismIsTreatable
#FUA
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