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Communicating with health professionals

Deleted User

I have a professional job where i explain things every day to people yet I can't explain myself to the doctors. I don't know if it's just the people I encounter in the health service but I mostly feel fobbed off. I have difficulty explaining the extent of something so people don't think it's as bad as it actually is. Then on top of that, there's a sense I'm being a drama queen and "things aren't that bad". That hasn't explicitly been said but it's just the feeling I get. I would actually say, it's often when things are at their worst do I only get the help I need. And then it's like "well why didn't you see us sooner".

You can't win.

Parents

  • I know the feeling.  Been there.  I think a lot depends on the doctors and how much understanding they have - or are willing to have - about autism and the difficulties in describing what's wrong, or why you may be feeling things physically in a different way, or just generally finding it hard to talk to them.  They need to take more time with you and get to the problem slowly.  they are all so harried these days.

    I wonder if it might help if you wrote to them and told them in writing what you are finding so hard and ask that in light of the fact this is rooted in your autism they could please make and effort to help you communicate.  Failing that you can have an advocate.  It's a free service, but probably only any good for planned stuff.  It may not help in an emergency.

Reply

  • I know the feeling.  Been there.  I think a lot depends on the doctors and how much understanding they have - or are willing to have - about autism and the difficulties in describing what's wrong, or why you may be feeling things physically in a different way, or just generally finding it hard to talk to them.  They need to take more time with you and get to the problem slowly.  they are all so harried these days.

    I wonder if it might help if you wrote to them and told them in writing what you are finding so hard and ask that in light of the fact this is rooted in your autism they could please make and effort to help you communicate.  Failing that you can have an advocate.  It's a free service, but probably only any good for planned stuff.  It may not help in an emergency.

Children
  • in reply to Dawn

    Thanks Dawn. I didn't know about the advocate thing. My partner can step in but it's not always practical. I don't even know if they know about the autism. I don't know what's on my records. It was a private diagnosis but I had discussed it with my GP afterwards and have mentioned it to other GPs. It doesn't help that I never get to speak to the same GP. Writing to them is a good idea but I dont think it would make any difference whatsoever.