blood tests/needles

Hi Jamie + Lion + Recombinantsocks - thanks to both of you for your helpful contributions.  I'm considering everything that's been said by posters as well as the nurse at our GP practice + my son's support workers.  I'll let you know how things go.  In the meantime, if anyone wants to comment further, then please do so.

Like Jamie, I was really bad with needles. To me it's a perfectly rational fear of having a long sharp pointy thing stuck into your arm! I used to faint when people were even talking about needles and stuff like operations etc. What works for me is knowing that it will be quick and although it might hurt a bit while they are doing it it won't go on for ever and you will come out the other side OK. I play to my rational side and persuade myself that if everyone else can come out the other side then I should be able to as well. I always make sure that I look away and if they can make the approach without me seeing the damn thing then that's even better! Try and bring out the Spock in him and ask whether Spock would let a bit of pain stop him having an essential procedure. It simply would not be rational!

Needles:

Hiya,

I share your sons strong aversion to needles, I am also am adult on the spectrum.

What worked when I was younger and easier to deceive was the "get him talking approach". I got to know the family doctor well, and over many meetings I became more confident. The first time they took blood, they got me talking about an obsession and kept asking me for more and more details. In the end, the doctor was talking to me about how many cells my blood had etc.

In calm, alert situations I have since them been okay. 

However, the last two times my blood has been taken was during gastric emergencies.

Before I arrived at the hospital I was not speaking and it just kinda went down hill from there. The first time they stopped attempting it as they thought it was too dangerous (they had got nothing 3 times and I was rather agitated I am told). 

The most recent time, I was more with it (calm, but very spaced out). They were nice, explained before they did anything. My best friend was there (he was there the time before as well) and it was not to bad. I remember being scared, all the lights and noises and the sensation of the needle etc, but the one thing which caused the most upset was their language.

They said they were going to take some blood. Explained how much (far less than 1%) and the nurses (who was called faith) name. (I don't know why that's meant to help? I now remember her name but I don't think it's important?)

They took blood, but actually installed something in my arm. I was not expecting that and freaked out when they said they were done a giant thing was in my arm. They should have told me upfront that to take blood they were planning on fitting something that's stays in my arm.

Hope that helps.

Jamie + Lion

Hi Hope .  I think it's fear of the unknown + fear of pain.  I spoke to the nurse today. She is Aunty to an autistic child.  She said my son could come to meet her, a number of times if necessary + she would only do the blood test if he was absolutely ok about it. So I thought that was helpful and kind.  Also I spotted a video on You Tube produced by a learning disabilities group about having a blood test.  A person called Emma narrates + its the top 1 on pg 1.  I thought it was easy to understand so perhaps he can view that at some point on his laptop.  I've txted his support worker to discuss how we can pull all this together so we stand the best chance of helping him overcome this fear.  And, just to repeat myself, any suggestions from the community will be appreciated, so let me know what you think about the info above + also let me hear any suggestions you may have.  

Could the nurse apply some numbing cream to his arm before taking blood? Is it the pain itself that puts him off or more the fear of the unknown?