Autistic people should be treated fairly at the doctor’s office. As an autistic adult myself, I’ve been treated well by some doctors and badly by others. Here are some tips for doctors, nurses, and other medical workers who work with autistic adults.
- I’m an adult and should be treated like one. That means taking me seriously when I tell you how I’m feeling or what I need.
- Sometimes the world around us can be really overwhelming. Things can be too noisy, too bright, or too rough.
- Autistic people don’t all look or sound the same. We can be of any race, gender, age, or background.
- Many autistic people like to be called autistic people, including me. That’s because we see it as an important part of ourselves. Don’t call me a “person with autism.” If you’d like to learn more, you can read this article about autism and language by Kate Ryan.
- Some people can’t speak, but they can still talk to you in other ways. These ways include computers, tablets, letter boards, and other kinds of assistive technology. I do speak myself, but I know people who don’t.
- You may need to break things down to make them more understandable. I don’t have a hard time with medical language, but some people do.
- Autistic people still care about others, even though it may be hard for them to show it. There’s a difference between feeling something and being able to express it.