Visuals can help individuals with Down syndrome prepare for and know what to expect at medical appointments. Our Resource Library has several examples.
Visits to the Doctor
Taking Charge of My Appointment .png "opens in new window")
is a visual that is intended to be started before the appointment, used during the appointment, and completed after the appointment.
Self-Advocacy at Medical Appointments is a printable worksheet that individuals with Down syndrome can fill out before an appointment. It was developed by the National Down Syndrome Society.
My Health Passport is a document that individuals with Down syndrome and their families can fill out to share information (such as communication preferences, how to offer support in stressful situations, etc.) with health care providers. It was developed by the Florida Center for Inclusive Communities.
Visits to a Doctor's Office is a one-page visual that starts with leaving the house and ends with meeting with the doctor in the exam room.
Procedures and Tests
My ECG/EKG may be helpful for cardiology appointments that include having an electrocardiogram done.
Getting My Blood Drawn explains what happens when we have a blood test done.
Getting an IV explains what happens when we get an intravenous line (IV).
Getting Ear Wax Removed explains what happens when we have our ears cleaned out.
Getting an X-Ray is a general visual that can be used when getting x-rays of various parts of the body.
Getting an Ultrasound is a general visual that can be used when getting ultrasounds of various parts of the body.
Getting an EEG explains electroencephalograms (EEGs), tests that measure electrical activity in the brain.
Getting a Swallow Study explains what happens when we have a swallow study done.
LuMind IDSC Foundation developed a "What to Expect?" Toolkit that includes videos and social stories about having an MRI and having a PET scan.
MRI Video
MRI Social Story
PET Scan Video
PET Scan Social Story
Other types of visual supports, including those described in this Use of Visual Supports article, may also be helpful. For example, a First/Then visual could be used to set expectations for the appointment (e.g., First, go to doctor's appointment. Then, watch a movie).