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Autism and nursing

Werple24601

Hi

ive been considering pursuing a diagnosis of autism for a few years now. I actually went as far as asking a GP, but was told no because its a lot of paperwork. That wasnt a gp I have ever met before, and Ive now moved practises anyway. At that time I was studying science, but since then I worked up the courage to pursue a nursing career. Its something Im really passionate about, but Im worried that an autism diagnosis could have a negative affect. Id like to get a diagnosis to access support for the things I find difficult about my course (cant learn in the traditional lecture format, struggle with interacting with mentors at times), but Ive heard a lot of negativity. When I started the course we were told that if we are nurses we should be able to get along with everyone, and if that lecturer saw anyone sitting alone at any point she would take a dim view of the matter. I know that noone can legally discriminate against me, but if they want to tell me off for wanting alone time, I dont know how they would handle a diagnosis stereotypically associated with being 'antisocial' or 'unable to communicate'. 

I do struggle with those things, but I honestly believe that it does not and will not affect my nursing. A very common feedback I get from placements is that I am excellent at builing a rapport with my patients, I just sometimes speak in a way that other professionals find inappropriate. Apparently, Im too enthusiastic, I answer too quickly, I shouldnt get flustered when put under pressure. But then, also, that I need to be more enthusiastic. Im learning from every time this happens. Recently a mentor told me that saying I know when Im reminded Im doing something wrong is not correct. It seems perfectly logical to me, because I am acknowledging that I did the thing wrong, but she said that its an 'attitude'. So I asked her what I should say and she said to say 'sorry, *name*'. So its not like I cant improve. I just find the shifting ground of professional politics hard to keep up with. 

I have a whole bunch of reasons for thinking I may be on the spectrum, but Im not going to list them all because Im not asking anyone to diagnose me, I just want to know if anyone has any relevant experience of the specific issue of nursing and autism. I feel like if people believe the common narrative of autism, then they will assume Im not suitable to be a nurse, and Id be devastated if they took that away from me, but I could do with some support completing this course. 

It also doesnt help that I have a history of depression and anxiety. I disclosed that to the university because i felt that I had to: Im literally going to study with the NHS, they could easily check their own records. They 'offered' me support for that, but it felt more punitive than supportive, and they only wanted to me sure I wasnt 'too crazy' to do the course. Ive now managed to completely fake and lie my way into getting a clean bill of health from them, after I found it necessary to get away from a few bad experiences with people ignorant of appropriate boundaries for a dr. I might not be great at intuiting boundaries, but I can certainly look up professional boundaries! Im also asking that they support me and make adjustments for my gender trainsition. Im afraid that if I ask for another thing they'll just thing Im being awkward

incidentally, having read that, can anyone see why Im having trouble writing essays? Lol

thanks for any input

  • There are autistic nurses out there. It depends on your own skill set. If you are diagnosed then you can request reasonable adjustments that would probably be difficult to negotiate without a diagnosis. As a student you will have a range of placements and some will suit you more than others.

    With a diagnosis you can get support in the workplace (once you're qualified and employed), such as a mentor via Access to Work.

    Lecturers shouldn't single you out for sitting on your own. It's difficult to know via an internet conversation whether it would be helpful or not to tell them that you do this because it enables you to concentrate on the lectures and you've keen to get as much as possible out of the lectures as possible. Remember, too, that there are many different kinds of roles in nursing and a research nurse, ward nurse and a nurse in a clinic will lend themselves to different skill sets, while always requiring the professionalism which you will have and develop as a student. Even within any given setting, having a range of personalities can be a strength, reflecting the range of personalities among patients as you might well have a brilliant approach that makes a fundamental difference to a patient who hadn't responded well to other staff.

    So if you feel this is the right course for you, keep going and keep reflecting on your practice. Sometimes mentors don't like being asked detailed questions e.g. if they actually don't know specific details they could feel exposed.

    All the best with your course, and jf you encounter difficulties try to get some help, perhaps from your students' union or professional union if your are a student member. The latter might have been involved in negotiating reasonable adjustments for students and registered members, like a dyslexic nurse undertaking a drug round with another nurse who is not dyslexic (which is a real example I have heard of). My friend, who has a mental health diagnosis, does not work night shifts or do more than 2 shifts in a row for health reasons - more examples of reasonable adjustments.

  • Thank you for your reply. I feel quite certain that I am able to manage as a nurse. In fact, in some ways I think that my way of thinking and doing things helps me. Im just worried that other people wont see it that way; Ive had a fair bit of that sort of thing already, without any diagnosis to back peoples opinions up. But I really could do with the support, if I can get it, for the bits I do find tricky. And it'd be nice to stop getting told off for just talking, too