Elizabeth Miller, DDS MS, and Richmond Mom

April is National Autism Month, and as the epidemic of children on the autism spectrum grows comes the need for specialized care for their families.

Autistic children and their families are frequently confronted with many challenges in creating and maintaining good dental health – including difficulty with changes in routine, restricted diets, sensitivity to certain sounds and lights, and limitations on manual dexterity leading to difficulty brushing.

The team at Atkins, Maestrello, Miller and Associates specializes in pediatric dentristy

Children with autism may also have cognitive delays which poses difficulty at the dentist office when trying to explain dental procedures to the child.

General anesthesia, while effective and safe when administered properly, is not the only solution. Some children respond well to behavior management techniques and can be adequately prepared if parents are involved in explaining what to expect before even setting foot in the waiting room.

Our office specializes in treating special needs children and adults, and we’ve put together a few tips that may make your next trip the dentist a little easier for your child and you. Click here for more information on visiting the dentist with an autistic child by the dentists at Atkins, Maestrello, Miller and Associates.

Congratulations to the winners of our Real Cute Kids Contest, each one of these winners had the most unique votes in each category:

Kyrie H. 0-2

Schuyler W. 3-5

Addison B. 6-8

Haley G. 9-11

Within the next two weeks, the winners will receive these prizes, thanks to our generous sponsors:

Real Life Studios: $150 Real Life Studios Gift Certificate–and MANY thanks for taking all those photos!

Core Kids Academy: $100 gift certificate towards any gymnastics class

Learning Rx: Evaluation valued at $149

Dream Dinners: $50 gift certificate

Romp n’ Roll: $50 gift certificate

Toyconomy: (1st three age categories): $25 gift certificate

Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods: $25 gift certificate for Ukrop’s famous baked foods

Kindermusik: (1st two age categories): $25 gift certificate

KidsDineFree.net: A KidsDineFree.net card valued at 19.95

Gift Certificate to DiapersandDenim.com valued at $15

Richmond Rocks Children’s book signed for your child, valued at $12.95

The Science Museum of Virginia: 4-pack of tickets valued at $44

Mom’s Treehouse: $50 Gift Certificate towards any fitness program

A Sonicare toothbrush set from Atkins, Maestrello, Miller and Associates Pediatric Dentists