Post-Anesthesia Regression in Autistic Kids, What Parents Should Expect | E63

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. Today I open up about a recent experience with my son, Wyatt, and what happened after his dental procedure that required anesthesia. I share how we saw short-term regression, what that looked like in real life, and the practical steps we’re using to help him feel better. If you’re a parent or caregiver walking a similar path, I hope this gives you clarity, comfort, and a few simple ideas you can try right away.

Key Takeaways

Anesthesia can trigger short-term regression in some autistic kids. We saw changes in sleep, focus, transitions, and rising OCD behaviors soon after the procedure.
Be mentally ready. Plan for extra patience, calm routines, and comfort items for at least a couple of weeks.
Support the body’s “cleanup.” Hydrate early and often, get safe movement as soon as it’s cleared, and encourage sweating to help flush out what the body no longer needs.
Simple tools we use. Light detox supports like camu camu and carefully timed activated charcoal, plus consistent magnesium at night for sleep quality. Always check with your healthcare pro.
Movement helps mitochondria. Regular activity can support energy production and overall resilience. Trampoline time, yard play, and gentle cardio all help.
Track patterns. Note the before and after of any procedure, then build a short plan for sleep, diet, movement, and calm spaces to smooth the weeks that follow.
Hold space for hope. Regression after anesthesia can be scary. It’s also often temporary. With steady routines and support, things can settle again.
You’re not alone. Many families face this. Community brings strength, ideas, and encouragement for the next step.

If this helped you, please subscribe and share it with a parent who needs some hope today. You can find all episodes and socials at spectrumincamouflage.com. I would love to hear your story and any questions you have.

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If you have questions or ideas or want to share your journey, email me at tommy@spectrumincamouflage.com.

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