How the igo books work

The “igo” social-story books are to be read to your child/ patient before their first visit to the dentist. The books can also be, handed out by a dentist prior to a first visit or after a “show and tell” visit. All pages in these books are fully laminated and can be wiped down and sanitized with soap and water before and after use. The first two pages of each book can be, customized by a parent or dentist using the designated squares for photos of the office, patient, and staff. Included in the package are laminating sheets and hook-and-loop fastening circles to attach the photos to the book. After going through the book at home multiple times your child will be ready for their first trip to the dentist. This visual preparation works very well with children and children with autism and special needs.

After familiarizing your child with their trip to the dentist visually, a picture strip can be set up for their first visit. The pictures attach to the strip with hook-and -loop fasteners in a vertical fashion, from top to bottom. There are numbers on the back of the pictures for ease in setting up the order of the steps. This can be brought in by a parent or set up by office staff.  As each step is completed it is removed from strip. When you begin this program, you can say the steps before you do them. For example, “special toothbrush cleans your teeth”.  Then, when their teeth are polished remove the picture. Once the child is familiar with the steps you can just show them the picture and remove it after the step is completed with no words spoken. Eventually you will work towards not using the strip at all. This gives the child/patient a visual step-by-step walk through their entire office cleaning or filling appointment.  It carries them from sitting in the dental chair to getting a prize from the treasure chest. This communication system is one that children are familiar with and is used within a special needs classroom daily.  Social stories are also used in classrooms to prepare children for upcoming activities. You will be amazed at how many stressful visits are alleviated by this visual preparation.

Strips

After familiarizing your child with their trip to the dentist visually, a picture strip can be set up for their first visit. The pictures attach to the strip with hook-and -loop fasteners in a vertical fashion, from top to bottom. There are numbers on the back of the pictures for ease in setting up the order of the steps. This can be brought in by a parent or set up by office staff.  As each step is completed it is removed from strip. When you begin this program, you can say the steps before you do them. For example, “special toothbrush cleans your teeth”.  Then, when their teeth are polished remove the picture. Once the child is familiar with the steps you can just show them the picture and remove it. It can then be placed in the bag with a all done picture on it with no words spoken.

These can also be personalized with photos of the office staff and your child's photo. The laminate and hook-and-loop fasteners are included in the book package.

Customization

The first two pages of each book can be, customized by a parent or dentist using the designated squares for photos of the office, patient, and staff.