Doherty, Neilson, O'Sullivan, Carravallah, Johnson, Cullen and Shaw (2022)

This study found that autistic adults face significantly more barriers to accessing primary care than non-autistic adults, leading to serious adverse health outcomes. Common challenges included difficulties deciding when to see a doctor, using the phone to book appointments, and feeling misunderstood or overwhelmed in healthcare settings. The findings highlight the urgent need for autism-specific adjustments in healthcare, such as alternative communication methods and sensory-friendly environments, to reduce inequalities and improve health outcomes.

View Resource