Neurological consultation with an autistic patient.
Miriam CooperKatherine GaleKate LangleyThomas BroughtonThomas H MasseyNicola J HallCatherine R G JonesPublished in: Practical neurology (2021)
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition with a very heterogeneous presentation. Autistic people are more likely to have unmet healthcare needs, making it essential that healthcare professionals are 'autism-aware'. In this article, we provide an overview of how autism presents and use case studies to illustrate how a neurological consultation in an outpatient clinic environment could prove challenging for a autistic person. We suggest how to improve communication with autistic patients in clinic and highlight the importance of a patient-centred and flexible approach.