Having a blood draw at Children’s National

I am going to have a blood draw to make sure I am healthy. Hi. I am Jimmy. I am going to have a blood draw to make sure I am healthy. I can bring my favorite toy or teddy or blanket to help me be brave.

First, I arrive at the lab. Next, I check in at the desk.

ID bracelet ID bracelet I will need an ID bracelet on my wrist or ankle so my phlebotomist will know who I am.

I will wait in the waiting area.

There are cool things in the waiting room.

I can watch TV, play a game or do an activity while I wait for my name to be called.

My phlebotomist will call my name and walk me to a room.

I will sit in a chair. I can sit on my parent’s lap or my parent can stand beside me and hold my hand.

My phlebotomist will wrap a band around my arm. This may feel like a tight squeeze on my arm but it is ok and on for only for a short time.

My phlebotomist will touch my arm and look at it, too.

While my phlebotomist wraps the band and looks at my arm or hand, I can do other things like hold my parents hand or play a game on a cell phone or tablet.

My phlebotomist will use a cold wipe to clean my skin. Buzzy Cold wipe My phlebotomist will use a cold wipe to clean my skin. This will not hurt me. My technician may spray something cold on my skin. I may be able to use a Buzzy that softly vibrates on my arm and makes a quiet humming noise.

It is very important that I do not move my arm. I must be still like a statue.

My phlebotomist will hold my arm and use a tiny tube to get the blood My phlebotomist will hold my arm and use a tiny tube to get the blood. I may feel something and the little tube will turn red. I will not move my arm. If I don’t want to watch the phlebotomist or look at the tube, I can look at my parents or my video or my book.

I can sing a song, talk to my parents about my favorite things, or take ten deep breaths. My phlebotomist takes the little tube out and holds my arm with a piece of gauze for a moment.

wrap Band-Aid Then my phlebotomist will put a Band-Aid or colored wrap on my arm or hand.

I will receive a reward, like stickers, for doing such a great job!! I am all done! I will receive a reward, like stickers, for doing such a great job!!

Everyone is proud of me! I did a great job! I will say bye to my phlebotomist. Time to leave!!

For additional autism specific support or resources, please contact To plan your child’s blood draw visit in the lab, please call 202-476-5355 or 202-476-2096. To request Child Life support for your child’s blood draw, please call 202-476-3070. For additional autism specific support or resources, please contact The Autism Behavioral Communication (ABC) support program: Phone: 202-476-2884 E-mail: ABCconsultteam@childrensnational.org Created by: Eileen Walters, BSN, RN, CPN Program Manager, Autism Behavioral Communication Support Elizabeth Johnson CCLS, MS Certified Child Life Specialist