Our resource hub is home to a wealth of articles, stories and videos about managing and living with type 1 diabetes.
Place your order for our free information packs that support adults and children who have been recently diagnosed.
Our researchers are working on different ways to develop a cure for type 1 diabetes - from growing insulin-producing beta cells in labs to hacking the immune system.
Learn about the technologies that can deliver insulin automatically when needed. And discover the next generation of insulins that are currently being developed.
You could win a cash prize of up to £25,000 when you play the Breakthrough T1D lottery. As well as the chance to win great prizes, you’ll also help fund our research to find a cure for type 1 diabetes.
Your donations help support people living with type 1 diabetes today and fund the best treatment and cure research, no matter where in the world it takes place.
The announcement is the biggest treatment breakthrough for type 1 diabetes since the discovery of insulin.
Join our Virtual Triathlon Challenge and swim, cycle and run while raising money to fund Breakthrough T1D’s life-changing type 1 research.
We provide a wealth of information and free resources to help you support and empower your patients or students.
Take our free course for schools to learn more about supporting pupils with type 1 diabetes in educational settings.
JDRF has now rebranded to Breakthrough T1D. Our name has changed, our mission has not.
Home > Knowledge & support > Managing type 1 diabetes > Type 1 diabetes and neurodiversity > Going to clinic: advice for autistic adults with T1D
Clinical psychologist Dr Rose Stewart gives advice on how you can communicate with your Diabetes Healthcare Team and make clinic more comfortable for you if you’re autistic.
Under the Equality Act 2010 you can ask for ‘reasonable adjustments’ to your type 1 appointments (this still applies if you haven’t had a formal diagnosis because it’s based on your needs rather than a diagnosis.
If you are waiting for your assessment, you may find using the term ‘working diagnosis’ helpful). These can include asking for your appointment to be at a quieter time of day, asking for changes in the light and noise levels in the clinic room, asking for fewer people to be in the clinic room or if there’s somewhere else you can wait.
Let your team know about what you find easy and hard in your type 1 management and at clinic appointments. You can fill out a communications profile or health passport to help you. These are forms you complete to let your healthcare team know what your sensory and communications needs are. You can use this communications profile on the Autism Wales website (it’s free but you will need to register) or fill out a health passport.
Making a list before your appointment of things you want to talk about can help it feel less overwhelming. You can email your list to your Diabetes Healthcare Team beforehand. If you have difficulty with your perception of time and recalling events, it can be helpful to keep a diary so that you can check it at your appointments.
Having someone you trust in your diabetes appointments with you can help with communication. They can also take notes if needed, or you can ask your Diabetes Healthcare Team to email you a summary of the discussion in bullet points.
For information and support for autistic people and their carers visit the National Autistic Society website.
This content was developed by Dr Rose Stewart, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Diabetes Psychology Lead, NHS, and Chair of UK Diabetes Psychology Network. It was reviewed by the National Autistic Society.
Find out about common issues encountered by autistic adults living with T1D.
Learn about the different devices that can help you manage type 1 diabetes.
Find out about the research we’re doing to make type 1 diabetes a thing of the past.