Accessing Healthcare

Healthcare should be straightforward. You feel unwell, you see a doctor, you get help. But for many neurodivergent people, the reality is far more complicated.

Making a phone call to book an appointment, sitting in a bright and noisy waiting room, explaining symptoms to someone who may not understand how your brain works, and then following up on advice that was not given in a way you can process — every step can be a barrier.

These are not minor inconveniences. Research shows they lead to real harm: missed diagnoses, delayed treatment, and poorer health outcomes.

Why healthcare is harder for neurodivergent people

The barriers are not just about individual interactions. They run through the whole system.

Communication mismatches

Healthcare relies heavily on spoken communication — describing symptoms clearly, answering open-ended questions, understanding verbal instructions. For many neurodivergent people, this is one of the hardest things to do under pressure.

A 2024 meta-ethnography of autistic adults’ healthcare experiences in the UK identified communication mismatch as one of the most significant barriers. Professionals often lack knowledge of how autism affects communication, leading to misunderstandings on both sides.²

Sensory overload

Medical environments are often sensory nightmares. Fluorescent lighting, background noise, chemical smells, crowded waiting rooms, and unexpected physical contact during examinations can all trigger sensory overload.

A 2022 study found that autistic adults experienced significantly more sensory challenges in healthcare settings than non-autistic adults, with auditory overload, visual stimulation, and crowding being the most reported difficulties.⁴

When your nervous system is overwhelmed, it becomes even harder to communicate, process information, or advocate for yourself.

Diagnostic overshadowing

Diagnostic overshadowing happens when a healthcare professional attributes physical symptoms to a person’s neurodivergence or mental health, rather than investigating them properly.

For example, stomach pain might be dismissed as anxiety. Fatigue might be attributed to depression. Pain might be seen as sensory sensitivity rather than a sign of something that needs treatment.

A 2024 UK study found that autistic people are more likely to have common health conditions go undiagnosed or diagnosed late, contributing to poorer overall health outcomes.⁵

Masking under pressure

Many neurodivergent people mask their traits instinctively, especially in unfamiliar or stressful situations. In a healthcare appointment, this might mean appearing calm and articulate when you are actually overwhelmed, or agreeing that you understand instructions when you do not.

Masking makes it harder for healthcare professionals to recognise that you are struggling — and harder for you to get the support you need.

Systemic barriers

Beyond individual appointments, the system itself creates obstacles. Phone-based booking systems, short appointment slots, complex referral pathways, long waiting lists, and regional variation in service availability all disproportionately affect neurodivergent people.⁶

For people with ADHD, the additional challenge of executive functioning difficulties — remembering appointments, following up on referrals, managing medication — can mean that even when help is offered, it is hard to access it consistently.

Preparing for healthcare appointments

While the system needs to change, there are things you can do to make appointments more manageable.

Before the appointment

Write things down in advance. List your symptoms, when they started, what makes them better or worse, and what you want to ask. Bring this list with you — you do not need to remember everything in the moment.

Request accommodations. Many GP surgeries can offer online or email booking, longer appointments, quieter waiting areas, or first or last appointments of the day. You may need to ask, but these are reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010.

Bring someone with you. If it helps, bring a trusted person who can support you, take notes, or help you communicate. You can also ask for a telephone or video appointment if attending in person is too difficult.

During the appointment

Use your written notes. Hand them to the GP if speaking is difficult. Some people find it helpful to write a short summary of their concerns and give it to the receptionist when they arrive.

Be direct about your needs. You can say things like: “I process information better when it is written down” or “I find it hard to describe symptoms verbally — can I show you my notes?” Most healthcare professionals will respond well to clear communication about what helps.

Ask for clarity. If you do not understand something, ask the GP to explain it differently. You can also ask for a written summary of what was discussed and any next steps.

Name your neurodivergence if it feels safe to do so. You are not obligated to disclose, but saying “I have ADHD and I find it hard to process verbal instructions quickly” or “I am autistic and waiting rooms are very difficult for me” can help the professional understand your needs.

After the appointment

Write down what happened. As soon as you can, note what was discussed, any actions you need to take, and any follow-up appointments. If you have someone with you, ask them to help with this.

Follow up in writing if needed. If you think of something you forgot to mention, or if you did not fully understand the advice given, most GP surgeries accept follow-up messages through their online systems.

Your rights

Under the Equality Act 2010, healthcare providers have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people, including neurodivergent people. This can include:

• Longer appointment times
• Communication in writing rather than speech
• Adjustments to the physical environment (lighting, waiting area)
• Flexibility in how appointments are booked and conducted

If things go wrong

If you feel that your healthcare needs have not been met, or that your neurodivergence has been dismissed or misunderstood, you have options.

Speak to the practice manager. Most issues can be raised directly with the GP surgery’s practice manager, either in person or in writing.

Request a different GP. You can ask to see a different doctor within the same surgery, or you can register with a different surgery.

Make a formal complaint. NHS complaints can be made through the surgery, the local Integrated Care Board (ICB), or the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.

Seek advocacy. Organisations like POhWER and VoiceAbility provide free NHS complaints advocacy in England.

Getting support

• Explore our guides on getting a diagnosis, ADHD shared care, and right to choose — these cover specific healthcare pathways.
• Find local services — use our Local Services directory to find NHS and private support near you.
• Talk to a counsellor — our Ask a Counsellor service offers private, confidential guidance.