Take the fear out of blood work

Most children are nervous about having blood drawn, but kids with autism can find it particularly worrying and overwhelming.

That's why Autism Speaks today released a Blood Draw Tool Kit for parents, with a companion guide for professionals.

The tool kit includes tips on how to prepare your child, relaxation and distraction strategies, a visual schedule of what happens during a blood draw, 'first-then' boards (see image above), how to write a related social story, and why it's important to bring a reward.

The kit is designed to help children with autism before, during and after blood draws. But I believe parents of all children will benefit from these strategies. Check it out! Louise