Post #39 Preparing for a COVID-19 test

If your son or daughter needs to have a COVID-19 test, preparation is essential. 

Explain my procedure COVID swab testing video with clear visuals and subtitles

This is an important time to use a visual schedule, providing clear information about the sequence of activities and indicating what will follow when the test is finished. In this example the young person can see that they can take their stress balls to squeeze during the test.

Boardmaker symbols

TEACCH Tip #17  provides some good suggestions for how you might explain the process, find it here: Preparing for COVID test and includes how to use:

• visual step by step instructions
• social narrative or social story
• distraction toys or activity
• visual countdown for the test
  

This TEACCH tip includes Downloadable stories for testing at home, at the doctor's and at a drive-through. These can be adapted according to the situation and your son's or daughter's needs.

Finally, make sure there is a clear finished and your son or daughter knows what's next - preferably an activity which they enjoy and/or which helps them to self-soothe.