Dental care
If your child is enrolled in a health plan for their Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare or TEFRA option coverage, you can call your health plan’s dental customer service line.
Adult dental coverage frequently asked questions under Minnesota Health Care Programs is a helpful guide.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) operates five community dental clinics in key regions of the state for patients with special needs whose conditions make it difficult for them to obtain dental care from other providers. Patients with intellectual disabilities, severe and persistent mental illnesses and traumatic brain injuries are eligible to receive treatment at DHS-operated community dental clinics.
Finding Dentist and Doctors can be a challenge when a loved one has ASD. The Autism of Society of Minnesota has a resource directory you can search for dentists who have experience with clients on the spectrum. You would still need to check with your dental insurance to see what providers are in your network for coverage.
The Dental Tool Kit from Autism Speaks provides parents and caregivers of children with autism with tips, tools and strategies for dental care and visits.
Children with autism are likely to suffer many more oral health problems, including tooth decay, gum disease, and dental injury than children without autism. On top of that, sensory sensitivities also make effective oral hygiene routines and visits to the dentist challenging.
- Move away from sugary food and drinks
- Establish an oral hygiene routine
- Try using visual supports
- Be a model of good dental hygiene or use video modeling
- Try using timers
- Offer praise and rewards for healthy habits
- Find the right toothbrush that works for you
- Visit the dentist regularly
Hearing
The Children & Youth with Special Health Needs (CYSHN) is part of the Minnesota Department of Health. The What You Need to Know Resources (PDF) for families has information to help families finding information for loss of hearing.
Occupational therapy
Occupational therapy focuses on improving daily activities, such as eating, drinking, dressing, bathing, reading, and writing. The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. fact sheet (PDF) has information on an OT’s role with Autism. They help support productive and meaningful participation in community activities that enhance quality of life for individuals with autism and other activities.
Find information on How to access services or find a provider.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy uses exercises to help you learn or relearn movement and coordination skills A physical therapist can help increase overall function and participation in daily activities. The Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy fact sheet (PDF) has practice recommendations for school based physical therapy evaluation of children with ASD.
Find information on How to access services or find a provider.
Speech-language pathology
Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) assess for and treat a wide variety of differences and disorders:
- Speech (articulation, fluency, and voice)
- Language (expressive, receptive and social)
- Feeding and swallowing
Many SLPs provide social skills groups across all ages. They also help non-speaking clients to identify and use alternative methods of communication. Parents and caregivers are key providers of speech therapy for children with autism, and they can collaborate with speech language pathologists (SLPs) to embed communication lessons for their children as they grow. 2U Inc. has Tips for Speech Therapy at Home for Children with Autism.
Find information on How to access services or find a provider.
Feeding therapy
Children's Minnesota and Fraser have helpful information for families and individuals about medical issues and feeding therapy.
