Ugh. But I’m here.
My response to people who don’t know what’s it’s like to be autistic and try to exist in this world.
I was feeling sick most of the day, so I decided to go to an online telehealth urgent care center. I wanted to know if there was an OTC med that would work better with my GI issue since there are so many different medicines.
I was also nauseous, dizzy, had a slight headache and feeling faint. I never got to mention that. The visit was less than 3 minutes. I tried to ask about something, and she said, “No I can’t tell you anything. Go to your PCP or GI doctor.” I told her I didn’t have a GI doctor because I just moved. She didn’t acknowledge my response.
Anyway, I finally figured out I was dehydrated ON MY OWN, which I always forget to check when I’m not feeling well. If she considered I was autistic, maybe she would have handled it differently. Most nurses or doctors would ask more questions. Instead, she just dismissed me. Probably with an assumption that I was a “normal” or neurotypical.
She had my medical records. I was going to put that I’m autistic in the comments, but I was feeling so sick and didn’t feel like typing it out. She didn’t even read everything I wrote. She just seemed to scan it, so it probably wouldn’t have helped.
I might give them feedback later. There are documents on how to handle neurodivergent patients when at the doctor’s office, and I have sent them to another doctor’s office once before. But generally, the communication/knowledge barrier is a big factor.
I’m glad I figured I was just dehydrated but other autistic adults and teens might not.
I don’t need no doctor.
Getting sick while autistic? I don’t recommend it. Get use to self-care because no one else is gonna do it. It’s not your fault.