North Raleigh Today

Lauren Schiff, MD, a gynecologic surgeon at the UNC School of Medicine, and Ashley Hester, PhD, a psychologist at the UNC TEACCH Autism Program, have proposed ways to enhance medical care for autistic patients. Their ideas aim to improve healthcare experiences not just for autistic individuals but for all patients visiting medical offices.

Dr. Schiff shares a personal experience with her autistic son, emphasizing the challenges he faced during a routine pediatrician's visit. She notes that simple gestures, like asking, “What can we do to make this visit easier for you?” could have made a significant difference. Schiff highlights how current medical environments are often not designed with neurodivergent patients in mind, making it difficult for them to feel comfortable and engaged.

Recognizing the need for change, Schiff emphasizes the importance of adaptable care. She states, "I think, as providers, it’s easy to get pretty rigid in some of our own routines, and not even realize it." This insight has led her to collaborate with others to advocate for better accommodation for autistic patients.

Dr. Schiff, alongside Dr. Hester and Dr. Teal Benevides, published a perspective piece titled, "Providing Effective Medical Care to Autistic People," drawing attention from medical professionals globally. They advocate for understanding each patient's unique needs and the value of tailoring care accordingly.

Dr. Hester elaborates, "[Autistic people’s] brains process information and sensory input differently," explaining why certain medical elements may be physically painful or overwhelming. Schiff suggests interventions that could make visits more comfortable, thereby encouraging patients to seek essential medical care.

Schiff points out the underutilization of healthcare by autistic individuals due to these barriers, stating, "Many autistic people do not go get their preventative care because of the difficulties accessing healthcare." She also notes that such accommodations could benefit people with various neurodivergences, anxiety disorders, or trauma histories.

Moving forward, Schiff and Hester are advocating for changes in medical education to incorporate accommodations for neurodivergent patients. "If we start now setting standards and expectations for medical school and residency, then we will have a medical community in the future who has a much better understanding of autism," Schiff asserts.

Hester plans to use resources from UNC TEACCH to support the initiative, although increasing demand has outpaced their growth capacity. The duo is working on developing a grant proposal to establish guidelines for more neurodivergent-friendly clinics, aiming to make such accommodations mainstream in healthcare.

Schiff and Hester’s collaboration reflects a concerted effort to raise awareness and support for autistic individuals in medical settings, seeking a future where every person receives the care they deserve. As Schiff notes, “This is something that is so important to get out to the medical community, but also to the lay community.”