Cruise's Preschool Program & The Dentist

Cruise's Preschool Program

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Cruise's public preschool class had their program and graduation yesterday (Cruise didn't graduate but of course got to participate in the program). They had the kids sing a couple songs and then the ones moving onto Kindergarten received diplomas. All the kids were adorable and Cruise was not only adorable, but loud. I wouldn't call him disruptive...just spirited.

After the program, they had all of us go outside so the kids could play on the playground, blow bubbles, and play with sidewalk chalk. Cruise spent most of his time with the bubbles. Then they had ice cream, which Cruise covered in two kinds of sprinkles and M&Ms.

Most of the parents left after and took their kiddos with them. So I asked Cruise if he wanted to come with me, or stay for the rest of school. He was completely torn, which led to a meltdown, so I ended up staying at school with him until it was over.

The Dentist
After school, I quickly drove home to pickup the DVD player and then headed northbound on I-15 for Sandy. It was a long drive, but Cruise did great and watched Wall-E while I maneuvered through traffic to get to his dentist appointment on time. I know there are plenty of dentists in the Utah County area, but Dr. Olson was the only one I was referred to for being a dentist good with autistic patients. I mean, the guy has a social story on his website! The man knows what he is doing and so, the drive was worth it.

After getting slightly lost, I finally found the dentist office. Cruise was in a pretty good mood, and was even more excited to be able to take the elevator. Once we got into the office, Cruise got to play in the awesome waiting room equipped with a slide, movie, bean bag chair, toys, and a table with coloring books.

He didn't have to wait very long until a super nice dental hygenist, Haylee, called for him. She introduced him to a little sink and got him his very own toothbrush. The kids can brush their teeth when they first get to the office if they'd like. Cruise wasn't interested. Then she led him to his very own private room, especially for kids with special needs.

Haylee showed him her little mirror and let him play with it, then they counted fingers. Dr. Barney Olson came in and did the same thing: showed him the mirror, counted fingers, and then counted teeth. He then explained to me what they do and that with kids with autism, he makes it a point to do the same thing every time they come. That way, they will get comfortable and eventually let them be a little more invasive.

He instructed Haylee to see if Cruise would let her take x-rays. She raised his chair and then put the lead vest on him. She showed him the x-ray machine, but he wouldn't have any of it. So that was that. Dr. Olson came back in and just took a look at Cruise's teeth, which Cruise did really well at. Everything looked good and he couldn't detect any cavities.

Then Haylee showed Cruise her tools: the mini water fountain and Mr. Thirsty (the water sucker). Then she showed him her tooth buffer and let him feel it on his finger. She lowered the back on his chair so he could see the t.v. in the ceiling playing "Tangled". He let her clean his upper teeth, but after a drink and Mr. Thristy, he said, "All done." Then Haylee painted on some flouride and we called it good!

He got a prize and then ran back to the waiting room while I arranged his next appointment for December.

Dr. Olson seemed pretty busy, but he sure seemed to know what he was doing. He made it a point to not over stimulate Cruise, and he was super flexible with everything. He didn't want Cruise's first experience to be negative; he mostly just wanted Cruise to get to know the procedure of things so that next time he came back, he would be more comfortable and willing to let them do more.

I am so happy Cruise's experience was a positive one. There is nothing worse than having your child be afraid of something that needs to be done on a regular basis. I had waited longer than the pediatrician recommended, but I was holding out for someone like Dr. Olson...Utah could use more Dr. Olsons. Definitely worth the wait (and the drive), though.