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Neurodiverse children and type 1 technology

Type 1 technology can make managing T1D a lot easier. But if your child is autistic and/or has ADHD, they may experience some difficulties in wearing devices on their bodies.
Content last reviewed and updated: 30.01.2025

Adult high-fiving a child at a desk in school

How and when should my autistic child use type 1 tech?

When children are first diagnosed, their usual treatments are insulin injections and finger prick tests or a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). Changing treatments can be challenging for autistic children and young people. If possible, consider using wearable technology like CGMs and insulin pumps from the beginning. (Note that parents will still need training on insulin pen use in case of emergencies.)

Having a choice between types of pumps (for example, tubed vs non-tubed) can help to reduce the sensory impact of type 1 management. If you have access to a type 1 diabetes psychologist, they can help you manage these issues to ensure that your child has access to the best possible type 1 management solutions, while taking sensory issues into account.

How can I help my child manage sensory issues?

Autistic children and children with ADHD may have sensory issues that affect how they manage inserting or wearing diabetes technology. Inserting a CGM or insulin pump can feel very painful for a child who has sensory issues relating to touch. It’s not uncommon for this to cause extreme distress leading to autistic meltdowns. Knowing that a set or sensor change is coming up can also cause anxiety for autistic people.

Some autistic people (and neurotypical people) can experience different sensations with different types of insulin, such as stinging. If your child is experiencing this, speak to your Diabetes Healthcare Team to see if another type of insulin is available.

You can use numbing creams or gels to reduce the pain of insertion, or pressurising tools that work to distract your child’s body from any pain. However, bear in mind that these tools might also trigger sensory discomfort (although hopefully to a lesser extent).

If your child is triggered by sound, you can set the technology to vibrate rather than make loud beeps.

Involving your child in their tech changes

Every autistic child is different. For some children, taking on the responsibility to do their own set changes or injections may help them feel more in control and less likely to experience distress. For others, it may be that having another person to help is needed for longer than is typical.

Sensory inputs may accumulate, leading to increased levels of distress so inserting a pump in a calm, relaxed, low demand environment over several weekends may work better than during a busy school week.

What support can I access to help with this?

Speak to your Diabetes Healthcare Team about getting support from a psychologist as part of your child’s type 1 care.

You can also find information and support about looking after an autistic child at the National Autistic Society.

This content was created by Dr Jacq Allan, Psychologist: Children’s Diabetes Team. It has been reviewed by the National Autistic Society.

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