A Step Closer — But Still Not With Us
Let’s start here: this is not a harmful paper. That alone sets it apart from much of the clinical literature about autism.
Published in the World Journal of Clinical Pediatrics, the article “Challenges and solutions in managing dental problems in children with autism” offers a practical overview of the sensory, behavioral, and communication barriers autistic children often face in dental care. It recognizes that many challenges aren’t intrinsic to autism, but rather arise from the way dental systems are built — loud noises, bright lights, unexpected touch, and rushed, inflexible appointments.
The authors call for better training for dental providers, adapted approaches to care, and empathy-driven interactions. They don’t suggest autistic children need to be “normalized.” They propose that environments need to change.
That’s progress.
But here’s what’s still missing: us.
There are no autistic co-authors. No citations from autistic-led research. No mention of how autistic children or families perceive the interventions being proposed. No reflection on the values driving the recommendations — or how those values might be different for the people most affected.
The paper’s tone is respectful. But respect without representation is limited.
It still frames autistic behavior as a “barrier,” rather than considering whether neurotypical expectations might be the real obstacle. It doesn’t ask what dental autonomy might look like. Or how consent should work for kids with communication differences. Or what it means to truly design for comfort — not just compliance.
This isn’t a paper to condemn. It’s a paper to critique gently — because it’s moving in the right direction, but not quite ready to share the wheel.
We need more research like this: practical, applied, and open to change. But we also need it to be with us, not just about us.
Because when we’re not included, even good intentions can grind down into assumptions.
Let’s keep going. But let’s not forget who the work is for — or who should be helping shape it.