Doctors with Asperger's: the impact of a diagnosis

Abstract

Receiving a diagnosis of AS was viewed as a double-edged sword, allowing the development of insight into lifelong difficulties, but also creating the potential for prejudice. Understanding AS traits provided an explanation for challenges in the workplace and therefore opportunities to find solutions. Understanding AS traits provided an explanation for challenges in the workplace DISCUSSION: This study explores the benefits and disadvantages of defining and labelling a specific professional support need for a group of trainees. It also reveals the need for improved awareness of AS amongst all clinical educators.

Seeing the unseen: Neurodiversity in the emergency department

“…30 Once again, data is lacking on the barriers particular to neurodiverse clinicians, but it is unlikely that they are unaffected by the challenges known to the non-clinical neurodiverse community. One small qualitative study of doctors diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome (now reclassified as ASD 31 ) after commencement of training found the doctors struggled with the paradox in the benefits of the diagnosis, which included insight and improved training feedback, with the possibility of harm from prejudice and stigma. 32 The authors highlighted that a fear of 'exposing weaknesses that could be construed as evidence of poor progress in training may prevent trainees from seeking help.…”

Le comportement envers qui?

“…En 2020, le premier article qualitatif semblait tenter de capter de manière prospective les expériences de médecins ayant un TSA, surtout ceux qui avaient eu accès à un programme d'aide à l'intention des médecins au Royaume-Uni 9 . Comme on pouvait s'y attendre, les témoignages révèlent une intense stigmatisation.…”

“…Que peut donc faire un pauvre médecin autiste? Il ne s'agit pas de dire qu'un comportement perturbateur ne devrait pas être appelé par son nom, parce qu'un abus est un abus; en effet, les médecins autistes mentionnés précédemment dans l'étude qualitative se sont empressés de dire que les normes comportementales doivent être respectées, mais qu'elles devraient l'être dans une culture de respect mutuel et d'accommodement 9 . Le problème, dans le cas d'un médecin autiste, n'en est pas un de professionnalisme, mais bien de normativité, d'une norme qui se reproduit elle-même conformément à une fonction disciplinaire, et le déséquilibre des pouvoirs est immense.…”

Whose bedside manner?

“…This is not to say that disruptive behaviour should not be called such, for abuse is abuse; indeed, physicians with autism in the aforementioned qualitative study were quick to offer that behavioural standards must be met, but that these should be met in a culture of mutual respect and accommodation. 9 The problem in the autistic physician's case is not one of professionalism, but of normativity, of the norm reproducing itself according to a disciplinary function-and the power differential is huge.…”

“…1,7,8 In 2020, the first qualitative paper appeared trying to prospectively capture the experiences of physicians with ASD, specifically, those who had accessed a physician support program in the United Kingdom. 9 As could be expected, the testimony is that of intense stigmatization. The 10 doctors in this small cohort endorse the idea that physicians must be competent and effective but strongly countermand traditional professionalism dogma with a call for workplace accommodation for their neurodivergence.…”