In the past decade alone, there has been such an influx of awareness and research around the neurodivergent community, including those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, sensory sensitivities, or other developmental differences. Dr. Melanie Wang of Dr. Melanie Orthodontics is passionate about fostering a safe office space for all of her patients, and hopes other providers will continue to follow suit.
The Importance of Inclusion
In 2023, Dr. Melanie and Dr. Eric Wu published an article aimed at better educating orthodontists on treating this patient population.
Neurodivergent patients deserve the same high standard of treatment as everyone else. By making space for neurodivergent patients in our practice, we not only provide much-needed care but also have the privilege of fostering the trust and appreciation of our local families and communities.
Common Myths About Orthodontics for Neurodivergent Patients
Unfortunately, there are still many misconceptions about what orthodontic care looks like for patients with ASD or other neurodivergent conditions. Let’s set the record straight:
Myth: “Neurodivergent patients can’t tolerate orthodontic care.”
Truth: This is simply not true. When care is approached with patience and flexibility, our neurodivergent patients successfully complete treatment just like anyone else. Our team makes modifications in scheduling, procedure timing, and communication to help make the experience manageable and positive.
Myth: “You have to commit to full treatment right away.”
Truth: Some patients do better with a gradual approach. We may begin with passive clear aligners or break other procedures into shorter steps. This flexibility allows us to build trust and comfort before committing to more extensive care. There’s more gray area than people think!
Myth: “Only traditional braces work well for patients with special needs.”
Truth: Clear aligners are often more well-liked by these patients because they are smooth, removable, and can be introduced slowly. Some may even benefit from a hybrid approach or shorter aligner intervals to build comfort.
Myth: “Orthodontic offices can’t handle neurodivergent patients.”
Truth: There’s a distinction to be made between “able” and “willing.” Practices that intentionally train their teams, like ours, offer a supportive, adaptable environment. We actively engage with caregivers and remain open to feedback to tailor treatment for each individual. The fact is, some offices can work with neurodivergent patients, but they choose not to accommodate them.
Working Together with Caregivers
Parents and caregivers are our most important allies in making orthodontic treatment successful. We always ask parents and caregivers to share any important information about their child’s communication style, triggers, or sensory sensitivities, and rely on you to:
- Share communication strategies and preferences
- Help reinforce home care routines
- Offer feedback on how your child felt after the appointments
We keep the lines of communication open so you feel empowered and informed every step of the way.
Building Comfort from the First Interaction
The first step to a positive experience starts before a patient even walks through our doors. Our team can then offer specific accommodations, such as:
- Sending a welcome video to introduce the office visually
- Providing a visual schedule to preview what the appointment will involve
- Sharing photos of the team or our treatment rooms
All of these tools go a long way in helping patients ultimately feel more comfortable with their experience in our offices.
Sensory-Friendly Scheduling & Routines
Since our neurodivergent patients often do best when they know what to expect, we recommend:
- Scheduling early morning or low-traffic times to avoid sensory overload
- Keeping appointments consistent with the same day, time, and team members
- Allowing extra time for visits without rushing
- We can also discuss some virtual visits if it makes sense for the patient’s treatment flow.
We encourage families to help establish at-home routines for brushing, aligner wear, and appliance care, which can be part of a daily checklist or visual aid.
Sensory Tools & Comfort Techniques
Every detail matters for patients with sensory sensitivities. We are able to adapt the office environment and our approach to help your child feel more at ease by doing the following:
- Reducing noise and dimming lights in treatment areas
- Allowing comfort items like stuffed animals or fidget toys during visits
- Offering distractions such as music, iPads, or visual timers
- Explaining sounds and sensations ahead of time
In addition, our practice uses digital tools like intraoral scanners, which eliminate the need for traditional impression materials that often trigger strong gag reflexes.
Awareness, Action, and Visibility
There’s still a lot of work to be done in the orthodontic field and every other corner of the medical industry to accommodate, not alienate, our neurodivergent patients. Dr. Melanie Orthodontics is proud to have made such strides in San Diego and Rancho Santa Fe—and we’re excited to see what the future brings.