My son also has a severe needle phobia. Nothing has helped. Even the numbing cream, etc.

He creates a risk to himself. He will scream and fight like his life depends on it. This has created a situation where he was bleeding all over the place which was quite distressing to everyone involved. It ended with 5 of us holding him down (he is 9 and only weighs 60lbs) to get the draw.
Another time he almost fainted when he was poked and no blood came out. So they had to poke him again. :( It took almost 3 hours that day.

What I do now:
-Call ahead and explain this is not just regular needle anxiety. Give them specific details of previous draws if necessary.
-I ask the nurse to be sure there are at least two other nurses available to help. (Maybe 3 or 4 available for a teen?).
-Ask for a private room. Nothing is worse than dealing with a potential meltdown with onlookers.
-It might be easier if he is lying down. Also try desensitizing the skin by rubbing the injection area for a few minutes prior to sterilizing
-The draw itself must be done calmly, but assertively, by someone very experienced with being quick and efficient.
Your son is not the kid to practice on for students.
Have the nurses discuss who is going to hold what (left arm, leg, etc) before they enter the room. They need to be coordinated.
I know it sounds a bit harsh. But they should walk calmly into the room and be ready to go.
-And Go. No hesitations, no trying to talk him into cooperating. (Nothing annoys me more than a nurse who doesn't listen and wants to be the hero by trying to talk him into cooperating-it usually makes it much worse as he then thinks it is up for negotiation).
-Consider that it may actually be easier if you are not in the room, if the nurses understand what their jobs are.

This usually gets it done more quickly this way and he can get to feeling relieved that its over. Despite my son's initial difficulties, he is always calm within minutes of the ordeal being over.

I also reward him with a promised toy or trip to the dollar store, etc.

My son is 'high functioning' but this is definitely one of the situations where his autism comes out in full force. :(

Good luck!

I would get suggest you request, from your Doctor an ointment called Lidocaine 2.5%/ Prilocane 2.5% You apply that on the area that the shot will be administered it will numb it. I also suggest you actually put it on a few days before and show you child, when this cram is on you it numbs the area of the shot. discuss that the cream will significantly reduce any discomfort, Address the child's phobia, is he afraid of the needle, or the pain that associated with the needle... kids with ASD read pain signals much stronger, so let him know you have the pain covered, with a special medication and perhaps your doctor can prescribe a valume, to help or some kind of seditive. I would also divert the attention to a positive outcome, that is when it is over with and he or she has done well plan a reward.

Maybe they can give him an oral sedative?

My ds needed to be held down by 4 nurses... then eventually he started asking questions and they listened and it slowly got better. We also get a McD's orange juice after blood draws... that worked the best.

@A MyAutismTeam Member thank you for the great advice.

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