The introduction of a desensitisation programme to teach teeth brushing – with Rebecca Lowes, Tom Bailey and Taylor Christensen

Andrew Swartfigure BCBA, Director of Services, talks with Rebecca Lowes, Behaviour Analyst at BeyondAutism, Taylor Christensen, OT at BeyondAutism and Tom Bailey, Head of Therapies at BeyondAutism.

When necessary health care needs are more important than preferences. How do you begin to approach oral care when the individual finds it aversive? We explore how this was achieved and how beginning to teach autonomy through escape mands can support desensitisation.

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References discussed

Bishop, M.R., Kenzer, A.L., Coffman, C.M., Tarbox, C.M., Tarbox, J. and Lanagan, T.M. (2013) Using stimulus fading without escape extinction to increase compliance with toothbrushing in children with autism. Res Autism Spectr Disord; 7(6): 680–686.

Carter, L., Harper, J.M., & Luiselli, J.K. (2019). Dental Desensitization for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder through Graduated Exposure, Reinforcement, and Reinforcement-Fading. J Dev Phys Disabil; 31(2): 161–170.

Diab, H.M., Motlaq, S.S., Alsharare, A., Alshammery, A., Alshammery, N., Khawja, S.G., & Shah, A.H. (2016). Comparison of gingival health and salivary parameters among autistic and non-autistic school children in Riyadh. J Clin Diagn Res; 10(10): ZC110.

Lewis, C., Vigo, L., Novak, L., & Klein, E.J. (2015). Listening to parents: a qualitative look at the dental and oral care experiences of children with autism spectrum disorder. Pediatr Dent; 37(7): 98E–104E.

Loo, C.Y., Graham, R.M., & Hughes, C.V. (2008). The caries experience and behavior of dental patients with autism spectrum disorder. J Am Dent Assoc; 139(11): 1518–1524.

Shabani, D.B., & Fisher, W.W. (2006). Stimulus fading and differential reinforcement for the treatment of needle phobia in a youth with autism. J Appl Behav Anal; 39(4): 449–452.

Stein, L. I., Polido, J. C., Mailloux, Z., Coleman, G.G., & Cermak, S.A. (2011). Oral care and sensory sensitivities in children with autism spectrum disorders. Spec Care Dentist; 31(3): 102–110.

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