Definition
Dental care is just as important (if not more important) for children with autism. Unfortunately, various factors make attaining adequate dental care challenging for children with autism. While parents are understandably reluctant to stress their child – particularly a child with oral sensitivities – lack of dental care early in life can lead to major long-term health problems (Volkmar and Wiesner 2009).
Historical Background
As noted elsewhere in this volume, a considerable body of work on the nature of autism and related conditions (Autism Spectrum Disorders, ASDs) exists. These conditions are characterized by major problems in social interaction, communication, and behavior. These individuals range from intellectually deficient to above average IQ. Unfortunately, deficits described above can make providing quality dental health care difficult and unpredictable (Stein et al. 2014). In addition to difficulties completing dental treatment, parents also have difficulty...
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References and Reading
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Popple, B., Volkmar, F. (2018). Dental Care. In: Volkmar, F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_102178-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_102178-1
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