Getting Anesthesia Social Story

Graphic of a woman wearing a mask. She is sleeping due to anesthetic.

For a procedure or surgery, I may need Anesthesia. This is sleepy medicine.

Graphic of a man talking to an anesthesiologist.

I will meet with the anesthesia doctor, called an anesthesiologist, before the procedure.

Graphic of a man sitting on a hospital bed. He is wearing a hospital gown.

I might need to wear a gown or pajamas and lie down in a bed.

Graphic of a hand with an IV in it and a woman with a mask on, the mask is giving her medicine.

The doctor might give me medicine through a small straw in my vein (an IV) or through a special mask.

Graphic of an anesthesiologist giving medicine through a mask.

If I get medicine through the mask, I will breathe in and out slowly.

Graphic of a patient lying on the bed, a hand is placing a breathing mask on her face.

After a few breaths, I will start to feel sleepy.

Graphic of a group of doctors operating on a patient.

I will fall asleep. I will not feel, see, or hear anything while the doctors and nurses work to make me feel better.

Graphic of a patient waking up in a recovery room, a doctor is checking on him.

When the procedure is done, the medicine will wear off and I will wake up slowly.

Graphic of a patient waking up in a recovery room, there is a doctor and nurse checking on him.

A nurse will be there when I wake up to make sure I feel okay.

Graphic of a nurse handing a cup of water to a patient in the recovery room.

I might feel sleepy, confused, or thirsty when I wake up.

Graphic of a doctor checking on the patent who is recovering.

The nurse will help me until I feel ready to go home.

Graphic of a nurse helping a patient out to their ride home. The patient is in a wheelchair.

They might place me in a wheelchair and take me to my ride home!

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This information was developed by the Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative (ASERT). For more information, please contact ASERT at 877-231-4244 or info@PAautism.org. ASERT is funded by the Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations, PA Department of Human Services.