💬 Why We’re Sharing This Story 

Hospital visits can be daunting for anyone but for autistic children and their families, they can bring a whole new set of challenges. Bright lights, loud sounds, new faces, and unpredictable situations can all create sensory overload and anxiety. 

We’re sharing our family’s experience to help other parents and carers feel more confident supporting their autistic children during hospital visits and to remind you that you’re not alone. 💛

👩‍👧‍👦 Our Story 

When my son was younger, we often found hospital and medical visits really difficult. At that time, he hadn’t yet been diagnosed with autism, and I didn’t fully understand why he was struggling so much. What looked like fear or refusal was actually sensory overload and anxiety from all the unfamiliar sights, sounds, and sensations. 

Those early visits were exhausting for both of us and left my son with medical trauma. 

Since his diagnosis, we’ve learned so much about autism, sensory needs, and how to advocate for him. We now let staff know about his needs in advance, ask for quieter spaces, and prepare him for what will happen before we even arrive. These small changes have made a huge difference 💡 

That experience has been incredibly helpful with my younger daughter, who is also autistic 💕. She’s had a run of hospital visits, a broken arm, superglued her hand to her face, a skateboard crash that led to stitches and dental work, followed a few weeks later by a concussion. 

Thanks to what we learned with her brother, we were able to make these visits calmer and more positive. 

We:
🧸 Pack familiar comfort items and snacks
🎧 Bring noise-cancelling headphones
💬 Explain what to expect before each step
👩‍⚕️ Ask staff to speak gently and give her extra time
💪 Let her know she is in control of her body, she can say stop, take a break, or ask questions
🫶 Advocate for a treatment plan that reduces trauma and keeps her feeling safe and respected

And one small thing that’s made a big difference the Sunflower Lanyard 🌻.
I keep one in my glovebox at all times. It quietly signals to hospital staff that my daughter has a hidden disability and may need a little extra support. The difference in how staff approach her is noticeable. They slow down, explain things more clearly, and make sure she feels safe and understood. 

Every visit isn’t perfect, but each one gets easier. With preparation, communication, and advocacy, hospital visits can shift from being overwhelming to being opportunities for care and connection. 

💡 Tips for Hospital Visits with Autistic Children 

Here are some strategies that have worked for us: 

• Plan ahead: Let the hospital or clinic know your child is autistic before you arrive.
• Ask for adjustments: Quiet waiting areas, lower lighting, or shorter waiting times can often be arranged.
• Use a Sunflower Lanyard: It’s an easy way for staff to recognise hidden disabilities and adjust their approach. 

🤝 You’re Not Alone 

Every hospital visit teaches us something new about how to support our children and every time we advocate for their needs, we help make the system more autism-aware for the next family too. 💗 

By Kylie Gardner

The A List 💛