What can fertility clinics do to help neurodivergent patients be more comfortable when seeking treatment?
Patients know that advocating for themselves can be necessary to getting the best medical care, but it can be really difficult for some to be understood when they express themselves — hence this very important conversation! Neurodivergent peoples may communicate their discomfort differently, so it’s truly helpful if clinics are more educated and neurodiversity-friendly.
For example, offering multiple ways to make an appointment can really help people who find phone conversations challenging. Secure portals, text, emails, etc. — as long as it can be made HIPAA compliant, why not offer it for those who would prefer it?
Have you heard of the “double empathy problem”? It’s the belief among neurotypical people that neurodivergent people have difficulties communicating. In fact, says guest Dr. Kristin Chambliss, neurodivergent people communicate just fine with one another. The challenges lie in the space between neurodivergent and neurotypical people. Because neurotypical is the most common communication type, everything else is seen as “abnormal.”
In this episode, hosts Ruby and Anne and guest Kristin explore the ways fertility clinics (and society in general) can help make the world a little more empathetic and equitable. Seeing and celebrating our many differences enriches everyone, after all!
Learn more about Kristin Chambliss on her website (https://kristenchambliss.com/), and find more episodes of The Whole Pineapple on the website (https://thewholepineapple.com/) or your favorite podcast app!
References:
The Atlantic: Neurodiversity, Harvey Bloom (1998) article
Damian E.M. Milton (2012) On the ontological status of autism: the ‘double empathy problem’, Disability & Society, 27:6, 883-887, DOI: 10.1080/09687599.2012.710008
Sasson NJ, Faso DJ, Nugent J, Lovell S, Kennedy DP, Grossman RB. Neurotypical Peers are Less Willing to Interact with Those with Autism based on Thin Slice Judgments. Sci Rep. 2017 Feb 1;7:40700. doi: 10.1038/srep40700. PMID: 28145411; PMCID: PMC5286449.
Saxena P. Assisted reproductive technology and its Association with autism in children. Fertil Sci Res 2021;8:20-4
Singer, J. (1998). Odd People In: The Birth of Community Amongst People on the Autistic Spectrum: A personal exploration of a New Social Movement based on Neurological Diversity. Sydney: Faculty of Humanities and Social Science University of Technology, Sydney.
Periods & Autism - Chloe Hayden Youtube video
Autistic Doctors International website
From Autistic Doctors International:
Williams, G. L., Adams, J., Bull, P., Cave, H., Chown, N., Doherty, M., Forrest, K., Foster, R., Fricker, R., Godfree, B., Keaveney-Sheath, K., Knight, J., Marrable, T., Murray, R., Shaw, S. C. K., Ventour-Griffiths, T., Wood, J. (2022) More than words: Supporting effective communication with autistic people in health care settings. Economic and Social Research Council. Available at:https://www.boingboing.org.uk/more_than_words/
