to a mask test. We also begin to expose them to some scents. The
smell of sevoflurane can be a trigger. It's important to note that for
some children a mask induction can be more traumatizing than an IV
start and, in those children, IV induction may be preferred. Based on
the child's behavior and the parent's feedback, we decide if premed-
ication is necessary for anxiolysis (1 agent) or compliance (2 agents).
Depending on the patient, we sometimes send a mask home for prac-
tice and re-evaluate on the day of surgery based on how well the child
adapted to it.
3. Streamline the pre-op process
We always try to schedule ASD patients as the first case of the day to
help minimize wait time and get the child back home as early in the
day as possible. For
all children, but espe-
cially those with ASD,
coping abilities
decrease acutely later
in the day.
Scheduling ASD
children as the first
case also has the ben-
efit of minimizing the
NPO period, which
can be a make-or-
break for many chil-
dren with autism.
We ask families with
autistic children to
arrive 60 minutes prior
N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 3 1
