Healthcare worker's opinion on autism

[Grondhammar]

Two days ago, I was in my GP's office for an annual wellness check. We talked about various things, and then (because they ask about psychological health at these things) I mentioned that I had officially been diagnosed with autism.

He got this irritated look on his face. "Autism, autism, autism! Everyone's getting diagnosed with autism! You're not autistic. If I took the tests I would show up autistic. Anyone would. No. Real autistic kids have a lot of challenges, and autistic adults... well, they're drug addicts, criminals. You're not one of them."

To which I put a big smile on, and replied proudly, "I absolutely am, and I'm so glad to be one of them!"

I may have been red-faced, and my heart may have been going a thousand beats a minute, and I may have been holding back a tirade. But I left it at that, and walked out. And I may have had a complete tear-filled meltdown sometime later.

Keep fighting the good fight, fellow Aspies. There's a lot of progress that's been made, but that battle certainly isn't over yet.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

Seems that someone is suffering from an unhealthy dose of ignorance. If he had spent time doing clinical rotations in a children's hospital, working with autistic children, he probably wouldn't be that way.

You can't fix that. Move on.

 

[Gerald Wilgus]

My primary care physician was the one that recommended I see a psychology practice that specialized in Autism. There I was diagnosed and received help with intrusive thoughts. He and I have always collaborated for my health, both physical and mental since he knows my background of training and experience.

You should not stay with a physician like that. Find a good practitioner who has your best interests at heart.

 

[Tired]

Oh he will fit right in in Serbia! It's the same mindset here, that autistic = heavily mentally and/or intellectually disabled.

 

[vergil96]

I wouldn't tell a GP or a doctor who isn't a psychiatrist tbh. Too much risk of discrimination.

 

[TBRS1]

Holy cowpies, people like that still have a public facing job in the 21st century?

I think it is awesome that you are standing up to that person, and that other folks are doing that in other places and in other ways as well.

I think it becomes a little bit easier because we now can form communities and talk to each other.

 

[mw2530]

Wow, talk about a clueless doctor. You didn't fit what his image of what autism is. You handled the situation well. It must have felt so invalidating in the moment. Sad that this individual went to medical school and as I would expect more from someone like that. But anyone can be ignorant I guess. Ignorant, yet think they know for sure they are right.

 

[Jumpinbare]

Because autistic people have so many comorbidities, I thought it would be a good idea to let my neurologist know I was autistic. I had made him a copy of my paperwork, and told him he could keep the copy. He didn't say much, and he actually gave me back most of the papers, only keeping a couple of pages.

On a later visit, he mentioned an issue I have being an autoimmune thing, then actually said that autistic people often have autoimmune problems. I recently got on the patient portal for the neurologist's practice and decided to download a copy of my records (I had had a previous neurologist that I had to "fire" for a number of reasons. I obtained my records from his office and was shocked at how erratically inaccurate those records had been. He had several different ages for me, referred to me as a woman in one entry, and had some diagnoses I had never even heard of). So I wanted to make sure my current records were accurate and therefore downloaded them. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised, but he had added autism onto my record.

Nothing negative has come out of this, and in fact, he has recently seemed to be more forthcoming in giving me information during my visits.

 

[Grondhammar]

I think it becomes a little bit easier because we now can form communities and talk to each other.

Agreed. Finding this place has given me far more hope than I ever thought I'd have of being understood. And being able to even share the above experience and have people understand how invalidating it was is invaluable.

Nothing negative has come out of this, and in fact, he has recently seemed to be more forthcoming in giving me information during my visits.

Interesting, good thought to keep a copy and follow up with providers and make sure they're aware... even if they don't like it or have very outdated ideas about it. As I've often had to say, that's a problem with them, not with me.

 

[Matthias]

Everyone has their own opinions and people often love to express them. Fortunately, others expressing an opinion has no negative effect on anyone although you can choose to get upset if you enjoy being unhappy.

 

[BloodyKun108]

Everyone has their own opinions and people often love to express them. Fortunately, others expressing an opinion has no negative effect on anyone although you can choose to get upset if you enjoy being unhappy.

When it’s someone who has to do with your healthcare I would argue it is very much a real issue. People who are so misinformed or ignorant should not be practicing in any capacity because they are compromised.

 

[Outdated]

He got this irritated look on his face. "Autism, autism, autism! Everyone's getting diagnosed with autism! You're not autistic.

I had one very similar just 4 years ago. He said "There's no such thing as autism, you're just suffering anxiety.". This was a man with the glassy drugged out looking eyes of the religiously demented and had one hand on his book of holy dribble while he said it.

This was in a government run clinic. I reported him as being a danger to the community - a doctor refuting established medical science for the sake of his own personal religious convictions. They sacked him.

 

[Matthias]

When it’s someone who has to do with your healthcare I would argue it is very much a real issue. People who are so misinformed or ignorant should not be practicing in any capacity because they are compromised.

I agree it could be an issue if you're seeking a specialist to treat autism or autism-related problems. However, a GP cannot be expected to be well informed on thousands of medical and mental health conditions. That's why they refer to specialists if needed. Most doctors I talked to don't understand autism at all. Their lack of understanding didn't cause any distress or harm me in any way. My point is getting upset is a choice. You can choose to let it bother you, like @Grondhammar chose or follow @Neonatal RRT advice and move on.

 

[AprilR]

Wow, i am sorry that you came across such a person. It is really sad such people are everywhere, and can even practice in healthcare. Also he said autistic adults are addicts and criminals? It sounds like he is also prejudiced against autistic people.

I hope he gets complaints and gets in trouble. Such people should not be working in healthcare period.

You did good by being patient and staying calm.

 

[Ronald Zeeman]

The rest of society will realize sometime we are a significant minority.

 

[Shevek]

The problem with asking for consideration as an Aspie is that NTs who just want special privileges would also demand them, and with better persuasion skills. It takes a fairly rare talent to tell the difference.