When I was a kid, going to the doctor was always stressful. There was rarely anything to play with while you waited, bright lights, people always talking, and other factors that make it so much worse for neurodivergents. Although I had no idea I was autistic/adhd at that age, it made it even worse for me. You enter the healthcare clinic, and you look around, and you know it won’t be very fun to wait to see the doctor.
I was a sickly kid, and I was always in and out of hospitals for weeks at a time, and it was a nightmare because, as an asthmatic, I had to either have these things in my nose or a tent over me. But back in the 90s, they didn’t know much about autism and less about it being seen in young girls. So the lack of a waiting area being sensory-friendly comes down to just not knowing rather than not caring.
Although even today it’s harder for women to get diagnosed, I have noticed that in the clinics I’ve been in, it’s much quieter, with less harsh lighting and comfortable seating. What they lack even today is items like pop-its, sand tables, water tables, just things that are sensory-friendly to make their wait a little bit more manageable.
They also need to make it less wait time and time-conscious when they are aware a autistic patient is waiting to be seen. Inside the room where you see the nurse, the room needs to be filled with sensory and fidget toys, to distract the autistic person until the doctor arrives. Once the doctor does come in, they need to be mindful of the autistic patient. Getting shots, and poked and proded is not fun for anyone but its even worse for neurodivergents.
I feel that doctors should have some knowledge of autism so they can be able to see their patient and do their best to make them comfortable and heard. Awareness is critical and having that neurodivegent understood is one of the best things you can do for them. Neurodivergents need to be seen and heard!
