As someone with autism, I struggled going to the doctor when I was a kid. I never knew what was going to happen or how to ask for what I needed. I struggled with the noisy waiting room, cleaning smells, and new spaces. And I didn't know how to cope with uncomfortable procedures.
That's why my team at HealthEd 4 Everyone is making the books I wished I'd had as a kid. They're designed for autistic kids and include information including what things might feel like, coping strategies for sensory challenges, social scripts for navigating situations, and ways to ask for what you need. And while our "I Can" books are written for autistic kids, they can be helpful for any child who benefits from knowing what will happen and ways to deal with it.
We hope you'll help us support autistic kids (and every kid) go to the doctor with our new book "I Can Go to the Doctor."
What Your Donation Funds
We want to keep our books free for anyone who needs them. Donations are what make that possible. Your money will fund the design, writing, review, and illustrations for this 30 page illustrated book.
$25: Contributes to the cost of one page
$50: Helps fund accessible design for print, online and eBook
$100: Pays for one illustration
$250: Covers the cost of creating one page
About "I Can Go to the Doctor"
The book goes through every step of the process, from the waiting room, measuring vital signs, the physical exam, and leaving the building. We wrote it with a pediatrician at the University of Michigan who will use this to support her patients with autism.
Want to Help Us Make Future Books?
After "I Can Go to the Doctor," we're planning on covering topics like vaccines and injections, throat swabs, nasal swabs, IVs, imaging (x-rays, CTs, etc.), and genital exams. We're working with pediatricians, a psychiatrist, and child life specialists to create our books. Let us know which future book you'd like to see in the comments when you donate or send us an email.
Rough Sketches
Asking for a quiet place to wait
Dealing with the wait