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Receiving orthodontic care can be challenging for our patients with autism and/or learning disabilities; being in new places, meeting new people and having treatment can be overwhelming. In this article the authors have worked with carers to understand better the challenges patients with autism and/or learning disabilities face and identify reasonable adjustments which can be made to improve their experience. It is hoped that other orthodontists may adopt these changes in their own services or find similar ways to improve the care of this patient group. Clinical Relevance: Orthodontists encounter patients with autism and/or learning disabilities in their day-to-day practice. This paper outlines reasonable adjustments they can make to improve the experience of these patients.

This article aims to increase the dental teams’ awareness of communicating with people with learning disabilities who have additional communication impairments. The paper presents a brief account of the factors behind why some people with learning disabilities may find it difficult to verbally communicate, and highlights the importance of ensuring high levels of care for all patients. It provides an overview of the principles of communication development and some of the most commonly used augmentative and alternative communication approaches. The paper concludes with suggestions of simple communication techniques as well as practical ideas, which can be easily incorporated into daily general dental practice in order to increase opportunities for successful interactions and minimise communication breakdown. By becoming more aware of the range of communication methods used to support those who have learning disabilities, the dental team will be more able to provide a better experience to their patients and ensure that their needs are met.