"Unprofessional behaviour toward my child with autism"

I took my five-year-old child to the Kalgoorlie Hospital paediatric department for 1 6 months follow-up. My child has autism spectrum disorder at Level 2 and is being assessed for neurofibromatosis type one. 

Our appointment time was in the morning, and we arrived on time, but we were not called in until almost ninety minutes later. For a young child with autism, such a long and unpredictable wait is extremely challenging. The waiting area was busy and noisy, and no one provided any update or offered support to help manage the delay. My child became anxious, overstimulated, and restless, and by the time we were finally seen, my child was already unsettled and tired.

When we were called in, the consultation was carried out by a clinician. From the start it was clear that the clinician had not reviewed my child’s history or notes. The clinician began the conversation by asking why we were there, even though this was a planned six-month follow-up. I had to go through my child’s medical background again, explaining their diagnoses, previous appointments, and the concerns we were there to discuss. It was frustrating to realise that the information already on record had not been reviewed, and that the continuity of care we rely on was not there.

During the appointment, my child spoke while the doctor was talking. Instead of handling this gently or redirecting them in an understanding way, the clinician told my child to shut up. I found the tone was abrupt and harsh. My child immediately went quiet and looked down, clearly upset. For a five-year-old child with autism, that kind of response can be confusing and hurtful. 

It was distressing to hear a medical professional speak to them in that way. My child tries hard to communicate, and we work constantly on their confidence and social skills. Those efforts were undermined in that moment. What my child needed was patience and understanding, not reprimand. 

Later in the appointment, I raised a concern about my child’s urine appearing cloudy. I asked what might be causing it or if it needed to be checked. The clinician said they would have a think about it and come back with an answer, but they never did.

By the end of the visit, I felt disheartened. The long wait, the lack of preparation, the inappropriate comment, and the absence of follow-up all made the experience upsetting and unhelpful. 

It takes a lot of effort and coordination to bring a neurodiverse child to appointments, prepare them for what to expect, and manage their sensory and emotional needs throughout the visit. When the experience is met with impatience or insensitivity, it can undo a great deal of progress.

What happened that day reminded me of the importance of compassion and preparation in paediatric care. A child with autism should never be treated as a disruption or inconvenience. They need understanding, patience, and professionals who are aware of their communication and sensory differences. Families should be able to attend hospital appointments feeling respected, supported, and listened to.