Jen Barr

After seeing Dr. Scapillato and his team featured on NBC5, I immediately made an appointment for my 13-year-old autistic son, Nolan.

Here is why...

OUR STORY:

My name is Jen and I have a 13-year-old son with autism. My son and I have had many experiences that left me feeling that no one in the medical/dental community is willing to listen to us. I have always felt as if my son and I were...Dismissed. Ignored. Neglected. Isolated.

I dread any medical/dental visit scheduled for my son because his anxiety and stress levels are off the charts- even when the appointment nears. I have tried social stories, visuals-You name it, I've tried it! We both leave medical appointments in distress and dripping with sweat due to a lack of the medical profession understanding his sensory sensitivities. Sometimes I find myself trying to "force" Nolan to stay seated in the chair, relax, and not run away due to sensory overload and fear. This is due to him not feeling comfortable in the setting he is in, which is no fault of his own.

It has been a nightmare! - UNTIL WE FOUND DR. SCAPILLATO!!

My son sat in the doctor's chair for over an hour with minimal or no sensory overload issues to speak of :) THIS IS A FEAT IN ITSELF! I attribute this to not only the doctor's care, but also the attentive, sincere, passionate work of the dental hygienist who took care of Nolan, too. she had a thirst for knowledge when it came to my son's specific dental issues as well as my concerns.

The doctor and his team provided the most comprehensive diagnosis and treatment that suits MY son and HIS specific dental needs. The quality of care and comprehensive explanation of oral care at home the hygienist provided went beyond ANY other dental visit explanation we have EVER experienced. The hygienist used state of the art equipment, visuals, and dental models to explain/suggest how I should take care of Nolan's teeth at home. I learned so much about certain bacterias in our mouth, the proper technique to use to brush Nolan's teeth, and the health of every single tooth in Nolan's mouth. It was so eye-opening!

I observed the entire examination...doctor and his team took the time and effort to get to know Nolan first. I felt the compassion the team had for Nolan and the willingness to tackle his dental issues- at Nolan's speed and pace!

Nolan feels more relaxed when someone speaks slowly and clearly, in a soft, calm voice- His hygienist did just that! We are used to people staring, telling us to go elsewhere, and dismissing us. We didn't feel that way at Oak Park Dental Care- From the second we checked in at the front desk...I knew this was the place for us :)

Will there be barriers, bumps in the road, issues that come up? Of course!!! BUT I have the utmost confidence that the Doctor and his team will do anything and everything they can to help me help Nolan keep his teeth and gums as healthy as possible.

WE WILL GET THROUGH THE BARRIERS TOEGETHER!

Yes, ALL patients deserve high-quality health care, but SPECIAL NEEDS INDIVIDUALS TRULY DESERVE IT!! WE ARE THEIR VOICE!!

PLEASE CONTINUE TO DO WHAT YOU DO, DOCTOR SCAPILLATO! WE CANNOT GIVE UP ON THESE SPECIAL INDIVIDUALS OR THEIR SMILES!!