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Going to clinic: advice for autistic adults with T1D

Autism is a life-long condition. Instead of trying to change how you interact with your hospital or clinic environment, focus on how the hospital or clinic environment can change to support you.
Content last reviewed and updated: 29.01.2025

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.

Ask for ‘reasonable adjustments’

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 healthcare team know what you need

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.

Prepare for clinic

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.

Bring someone with you

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.

What support can I access to help with this?

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.

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