The Experiences of Neurodivergent Individuals: Guidelines for Effective Neuro-Inclusive Patient Care
Presenter(s)
Sarah Werner
College
College of Education
Abstract or Description
Within humanity, there are various ways of thinking that influence how people communicate with others. ‘Neurodivergence’ refers to the variation from what is considered typical. Examples include autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and various other conditions. In healthcare settings, earlier studies show that neurodivergent individuals may experience barriers because of the lack of understanding among healthcare providers. The gap in the knowledge among healthcare providers and underdeveloped practices are concerning; in fact, it is reported that major disparities between neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals continue in access to care and outcomes across populations. Furthermore, neurodivergent individuals often feel excluded in research environments designed for neurotypical individuals, and many neurotypical researchers are uncertain about how to engage with neurodivergent individuals. This inductive project aimed to discover the experiences of neurodivergent individuals in patient care. The studied population consisted of neurodivergent individuals over the age of 18, recruited from the campus of Minnesota State University, Mankato. The participants provided their consent to take part in an hour-long semi-structured interview. Topics covered within these interviews included participants’ healthcare experiences, perceived barriers, and suggestions for improvement. The qualitative analysis was employed to analyze the interview transcripts, and the small sample size allowed us to explore the in-depth experiences of neurodivergent individuals. The findings highlight the necessity for enhanced resources and support within the healthcare system to better assist neurodivergent individuals. With the insights of the public, the findings also contribute to more neuro-inclusive practices that significantly help the wellbeing of neurodivergent individuals across the state.
Mentor
Aaron Deris