Special Learning FAQs

Familiarizing your child with the MRI machine and the step-by-step procedure is the best way to prepare your child for an MRI. Tell social stories and picture cards to introduce your child to the equipment and procedure.

Informing your healthcare provider of any allergies to shellfish is also important if your doctor requested an MRI with contrast. Dyes used to picture any blockage in the part being scanned are iodine based, so if your child is allergic to shellfish, the dye should not be given.

Always make the child aware of any changes that may happen ahead of time to try and reduce any anxiety of fear that the change or changes may cause.

As for any kind of negative reactions or responses, always keep calm and speak clearly and precisely. Getting upset or angry will only further complicate the issue as the child would have to deal with emotions/emotional reactions of the caregiver that are difficult to understand in an already confusing situation. Gentle encouragement to try and divert attention is also helpful.

You can use social stories to explain to your child where and how he is going to take the test. Familiarizing your child with the setting and personnel (i.e., visiting the clinic or school before the actual test day) will help your child become comfortable during the actual test.

Physical therapy can be performed in children as young as one year old. Some therapists recommend beginning therapy as soon as a developmental motor skill delay is noticed in the child. The earlier a therapy regimen is started, the better progress the child will make.

Yes. Exhibiting repetitive behaviors is just one of the symptoms that will indicate that your child has autism. These behaviors do not manifest in every child diagnosed with autism. Some of them will only show few of the symptoms, while others will show every symptom found in the diagnostic criteria.