Mary Doherty (Author)
Dr Mary Doherty is a Consultant Anaesthetist, autism researcher, and founder of Autistic Doctors International. An openly autistic clinician, she specialises in improving healthcare access and outcomes.
Sebastian Shaw (Author)
Dr Sebastian C. K. Shaw is an AuDHD and dyslexic GP, researcher, and Associate Professor in Medical Education. He is the Research Lead for Autistic Doctors International, focusing on neurodiversity and healthcare equity.
Rebecca Akroyd (Author)
Dr Rebecca Akroyd is a GP and autistic, ADHD clinician with a background in hospital medicine. She specialises in holistic care and the links between neurodivergence and physical health.
Mona Johnson (Author)
Dr Mona Johnson is a GP specialising in urgent care and clinical safety. Diagnosed autistic and ADHD, she works across healthcare systems, improving access and patient experience.
Description
As autistic doctors, the authors of this book understand both what it is to feel nervous about asking for help, and how important it is that autistic people still seek treatment. They see first-hand how not understanding symptoms or being apprehensive about making appointments can cause autistic patients to allow conditions to develop, and even lead to lower life expectancy.
This book has been designed to demystify the process of primary care support for autistic adults, and to start addressing the imbalance in healthcare outcomes. It is based on extensive research, but is written to be as accessible as possible, with straightforward, unambiguous and practical advice for you to implement.
Although it is not a diagnostic manual, Do I Need to See a Doctor? is a broad guide to common conditions, and how to understand them. It details when to seek help, how to spot the signs that something needs more urgent attention, and provides advice for navigating the healthcare system so that you have a rough idea of how to report your symptoms and what to expect from your appointment.