Ds doesn't want reasonable adjustments (but needs them)

[elliejjtiny]

Ds (17) has autism and has an operation coming up. Clinical psychologist today recommended reasonable adjustments, including a side room, being on the children's ward instead of the day surgery unit and a hospital passport. I need to talk to the hospital about it (not sure if he will get any of it) but ds is adamant he doesn't want any of it. I don't think he will cope without it but i don't know what to do.

Such a tricky situation. Just plant seeds of why these things will be better/nicer? Maybe he just needs time to process it?

What won't he cope with?
What would be better with these adjustments?
I mean I spent time on the children's ward with my then 7 year old. Now he is 12 I think he'd feel it was a bit babyish... not sure why you'd want a 17 year old there!

I don't mean that critically at all, but without knowing why he might struggle with/without the adjustments, it hard to comment.

A friend was once advised to take an offered place on a children's ward, because on an adult ward you can see things which may be very upsetting or frightening. She was having dental surgery and the adult ward would have had facial cancer patients. She took the children's ward and other than it being VERY noisy she was fine. If your DS has a side room the noise won't be a problem. In fact these days there are so many people with dementia in hospital, I expect adult wards are very noisy too. I would try hard to persuade him to recognise he has been given a very good offer and should take it.

Thank you. Sorry for not being clear but when i said day surgery unit i meant the children's bay of the day surgery unit. There are no side rooms there and the facilities/toys etc are very basic because children don't stay there long so it's a bit like a production line. All children are there for elective surgery so it's very loud and chaotic. On the children's ward there are side rooms, tv, computer games. Most children are ill so it's quieter. There are also play specialists.