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Autism and attending Hospital

Arbor

I recently attended Hospital as a day patient in Wigan and told all nurses about my autism but they made no adjustments for me and asked me no questions about my needs. 

I am not complaining as I am a mature 50plus adult whom has lived with high functioning autism for life and am tolerant of the normatron world. But wasn't diagnosed until in my 40s so have slowly become a self advocate for my own autism related disability needs. 

Therefore I am just wondering if I should expect something more from my health care system and would any other person disabled in a more obvious way be asked if they had any needs ? 

  • in reply to Elaine

    Sorry just noticed the link below - should have scrolled down first

  • in reply to ☕Tassimo ☕

    Where do you get a autism lanyard from, sorry for asking I was only diagnosed last week (I'm 55) and dont have clue about any of this

  • in reply to Arbor

    Arbor, I have used my autism lanyard to get access to a quiet room, away from the busy hospital waiting room. I've also used it when  having been given a wrong appointment and feeling too confused and overwhelmed to complain.

    The NHS staff actually responded well both times I produced the card.

  • Hi Arbor,

    Sadly, you can't expect very much in the way of support (or understanding) from NHS staff unless you are able to advocate for yourself to some degree. 

    I attended Wigan Hospital a few months back, and unlike nearby Bolton hospital (where the staff are outright hostile towards patients), I found the staff at Wigan to be surprisingly helpful (especially when they saw me struggling to find a way out).

    For times when I am overwhelmed or have to deal with a particularly hostile health worker or receptionist, I carry a Hidden Disabilities Lanyard with me and hand it to them.  It has my support needs detailed on it.  Have you thought about getting one?

    You can personalise it to suit your own needs. I have used it at Bolton Hospital when I was faced with a really hostile receptionist. As a result, she changed her whole attitude and I was even provided with a quiet room to wait in. You have to pay for this pass, but it has been worth the cost.

    https://hiddendisabilitiesstore.com/shop.html

    There is also a (Covid Testing & Vaccination) exemption pass available from Disability Horizons which you can quickly show to stop any intrusive questioning a lot of these places are still directing at patients. This is quite a costly pass, and I've yet to use it.

    https://disabilityhorizons.com/



    For less official situations, I also have a card I hand to people with information about autism. The card is available from the NAS Website for free.



    It's quite a collection I have to take out with me! But, they have been useful in shutting down bad behaviour and cutting out the need for the continuous explanations required for every new person I've have to deal with. 

    I hope this helps.

  • in reply to Arbor

    Those are my thoughts as well, like you having survived for many years in the 'normal' world I don't know what would make things easier for me

  • in reply to BJS

    Not sure really i always wonder whats a reasonable request and am very poor at asking for help preferingto stay quiet and not engage. My question was more about what my expectations could be raised with and if nothing can be offered then that's OK as well.

  • What sort of adjustments would you have liked them to have made?