Combating Needle Fear: Tips from a Child Life Specialist (Spanish available)

Support for kids with sensory needs and needle fear. Learn calming strategies for shots and blood draws—especially helpful for children with disabilities or autism.

Needle fear is common—especially for children with disabilities, sensory sensitivities, or complex medical needs. In this short, practical workshop, Child Life Specialist Alyssa Pettingill shares calming strategies to help children feel safer and more in control during shots, blood draws, and other needle-related procedures. Designed with neurodivergent children in mind—including those with autism—this video offers tools like medical play, comfort positioning, and coping plans that can make a real difference in helping children get through injections and blood draws as smoothly as possible.

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