A trial to compare the quality of induction using two different premedication combinations in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) undergoing surgery.

Children with ASD who require premedication for operation and have received the preparation package, will be randomised to either placebo (water) plus standard dose of midazolam or low doses of clonidine plus midazolam. The intervention group will be given clonidine 3mcg/kg, 60 minutes before the operation and midazolam 0.3 mg/kg, 30 minutes before the operation. The maximum dose of clonidine is 250 mcg and maximal dose of midazolam is 12 mg. The standard of care group will receive water (placebo) 60 minutes before the operation and 0.5 mg of midazolam 30 minutes before the operation. the maximum dose of midazolam is 20 mg. All medication will be given orally. The preparation package includes a face mask to practice, information re trial and how to prepare and distract the child, baseline information about the child and 3 booklets to choose from in order to prepare children for operation. these booklets are social stories that are for children with different level of understanding and the standard hospital booklet. The social stories are prepared by chief investigator (Dr Taghizadeh). The hospital booklet is written by Marieke Mitchell and is called "Going to hospital, what will it be like?". Social story are very commonly used in the educational setting and multiple studies support their use. The concept of social story was developed by Carol Gray (Gray and Garand, 1993) in order to explain social situations to children with ASD and to teach them the appropriate responses that are expected of them. Gary suggested a specific combination of directive, perspective and descriptive sentences. Parents may choose any booklet that they find helpful to their child. The preparation package is sent 7-10 days before the operation.