Understanding Anesthesia Social Story

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

Anesthesia is medicine given before, during, or right after a medical procedure.

Graphic of a man waiting in a hospital bed.

This medicine will help keep me relaxed and comfortable.

Graphic of an anesthesiologist standing next to medical equipment.

The doctor who gives me the medicine is called an “Anesthesiologist.”

Graphic of a hand holding a needle and of a patient with a mask on. There are several ways to give the medicine for anesthesia.

This medicine can be given in a few ways. My doctors will know which is best for me.

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

Some medicine I may breathe in through a soft mask worn over my nose and mouth.

Graphic of pills and a glass of water.

Some medicine is a pill I may have to swallow.

Graphic of an IV bag with a tube going to a patient's hand.

Some medicine is given through an IV. This is a small straw placed in my hand or arm.

Graphic of an anesthesiologist's hands drawing up medicine into a syringe.

Sometimes it is given through an injection. This is like a shot. I might feel a pinch, but it will be over quickly.

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

The medicine will help make sure I don’t feel anything during my procedure.

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

I might feel dizzy or tired after I wakeup. I may even feel thirsty or hungry. I may feel no side effects.

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

It’s okay if I don’t remember what happened. That is a normal side effect of some types of medicine.

Graphic of a woman talking to a doctor, she is asking

If I have questions, I should ask my doctors. If I brought a support person, they may also ask questions.

Page 1 of 12
Page 1 of 12

Rate this resource

Thank you for rating this resource!

Download entire resource (pdf)

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.