Blood Draws
Blood Draws
Preparing for a blood draw or medical procedure can be especially challenging for autistic children, teens, and adults. To help reduce fear, pain, and sensory overload, several tools and supports can make the experience safer and more comfortable. The following resources include pain-relief options, sensory-friendly devices, in-home blood-draw services, and social stories and videos designed to help individuals understand what to expect. These strategies empower families and providers to create calmer, more predictable experiences supporting both emotional and physical comfort during necessary medical care.
- Conscious sedation with Versed (midazolam) is a safe, commonly used medication that helps children feel relaxed and calm during medical procedures. It makes them sleepy, reduces anxiety, and often helps them not remember the procedure afterward. Your child will still be able to respond to simple instructions, and a trained medical team will closely monitor them throughout to ensure their safety. This type of sedation helps make difficult or scary procedures much easier and more comfortable for children.
- “Freezy” Fast‑Acting Numbing Sprays. Cold sprays numb the skin’s surface in a few seconds and are great when time is limited.
- Buzzy® Bee or Cold/Vibration Devices. A small device that combines cold and vibration near the poke site to block pain signals and reduce needle discomfort.
- The J‑Tip is a small, needle‑free device that uses a quick burst of CO₂ pressure to push numbing medicine just under the skin. It produces immediate numbing, which means the actual shot or blood draw that comes afterward is much less painful—or sometimes not felt at all. For many autistic children, teens, and adults who experience needle anxiety or sensory sensitivities, the J‑Tip can make medical procedures far more manageable. It works in seconds, doesn’t require advanced preparation, and can help reduce fear, stress, and resistance during vaccinations or other needle‑based procedures.
- In-home phlebotomy sessions. These cost additional money ($79 – $99) but will ensure the phlebotomist is aware of the consumer’s needs and work to support a safe blood draw. Both LabCorp and Quest offer these services. See below for other labs with Autism experience.Social Stories and Videos:
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- Autism Research Institute – Blood Draw Social Story, and Video created specifically for autistic individuals. Shows what to expect step‑by‑step and includes a printable social story. https://autism.org/blood-draw-autism-video/
- ASERT / PAAutism.org – “Getting Blood Drawn” Social Story. Clear visuals and simple language suitable for children, teens, and adults https://paautism.org/resource/medical-social-story-collection/
- Rady Children’s Hospital – Autism-Friendly Blood Draw Social Story. Comprehensive, step‑by‑step guide. Adaptable for different ages and language levels and includes a picture schedule. https://www.rchsd.org/documents/2023/08/autism-blood-draw.pdf/
- Mass General Hospital – Adult Blood Draw Social Stories (Multiple Languages). Designed specifically for adults with Autism. Available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole massgeneral.org/children/autism/lurie-center/social-narratives
Atria Mobile
https://www.atriamobile.com/
Chino Hills – (888)404-9005
Mobile only. Home Blood Draw Service for California, including Orange County, Inland Empire, Palm Desert, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Experience with Special Needs individuals. LabCorp, Quest Diagnostics, and Vibrant America orders are welcome as well.
Riverside Medical Clinic-Temescal Valley
https://www.riversidemedicalclinic.com/
Temescal Valley – (951) 493-6820
Phlebotomists work with individuals with special needs. Must be a patient at the clinic to access laboratory services. Lab hours: Mon – Fri 7:00 am-6:00 pm & Sat 7:00 am-12:00 pm.
Onsite Phlebotomy Solutions
https://www.onsitephlebotomysolutions.com/
Colton – (909) 554-3386
Mobile phlebotomy services that specialize in pediatric draws for children on the Autism spectrum, difficult venous access (hard sticks), and convenient at-home or in-office blood draws.
Veni Health and Wellness Phlebotomy
https://veniexpress.com/
Escondido – (619) 317-1777
Veni Health & Wellness Phlebotomy offers safe, convenient mobile blood draws and most laboratory services in your community. Serves the Inland Empire and San Diego County. Special Needs accommodations available.
Autism Society Options Policy
This Resource Guide was developed to provide families and professionals with an opportunity to find resources related to autism in the Inland Empire in one place.
All information provided or published by the Autism Society Inland Empire is for information purposes only. Specific treatment, therapy or services should be provided to an individual only at the direction of the individual’s doctor, caregiver, or other qualified professional. References to any treatment or therapy option, program, service, or treatment provider are not an endorsement by the Autism Society. References of treatments, therapies, programs, services, and/or providers are not intended to be comprehensive statements. You should investigate alternatives that may be more appropriate for a specific individual. The Autism Society assumes no responsibility for the use made of any information published or provided. The Autism Society Inland Empire provides information, but it does not constitute medical or legal information. Referrals provided are suggestions to organizations that might help, but do not constitute a recommendation. The Autism Society Inland Empire cannot be held responsible for consequences that arise from individual dealings with a professional or organization. The inclusion of any organization does not imply endorsement, and omission does not imply disapproval. The Autism Society Inland Empire may add or remove organizations from this list at its discretion.
