For Tahleel Javed, a formal diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at age 27 was a moment of profound realization. Suddenly, lifelong experiences began to coalesce into a coherent narrative. The overwhelming sensory experiences on public transport, the panic attacks triggered by challenging workplace conversations – these were not isolated incidents but manifestations of her neurodivergence. “For as long as I can remember, I have not felt I belonged anywhere up until the diagnosis,” Javed reflected.
A doctor in a consultation room, smiling reassuringly at a patient, symbolizing empathy and competence in healthcare.
Dr. Javed is not just navigating life with ASD; she is a psychiatric doctor in the UK. She identifies as having “high-functioning” autism, a term used to describe autistic individuals who live independently but may experience challenges in sensory processing, communication, and emotional expression. Late diagnosis is common for individuals like Dr. Javed. Studies suggest that around 1 percent of doctors, particularly general practitioners and psychiatrists, are on the autism spectrum. Despite their prevalence, many Doctors With Asd feel compelled to conceal their diagnosis due to the pervasive stigma within the medical community.
However, a growing movement is emerging. As the pressures of hiding their neurodivergence impact the mental well-being of doctors with ASD, more are choosing to openly discuss their experiences and advocate for a more inclusive and neurodiversity-affirming healthcare system.
“Compared to even when I was diagnosed a few years ago, I had never heard anything about neurodiversity,” notes Dr. Sarah Bernard, an Australian geriatrician who is also neurodivergent. Neurodiversity champions the idea that conditions like autism and ADHD are natural variations in brain function, not deficits. “And so it’s super exciting to see it become a hot topic,” she adds, highlighting the increasing recognition of neurodiversity.
Dr. Bernard’s diagnosis came at 38, bringing similar clarity to her life experiences. Tasks like phone calls in noisy environments or patient interactions in busy rooms were profoundly draining. She often felt misunderstood due to discrepancies between her facial expressions and internal emotions. Job interviews, with their inherent social unpredictability, were particularly challenging.
Over time, Dr. Bernard developed coping strategies. “I try to reduce the cognitive load by preparing a lot of scripts,” she explains. She prioritizes quiet spaces for phone consultations and consciously monitors her expressions and tone during patient communication.
The Pressure to Conceal and the Fear of Stigma Faced by Doctors with ASD
While doctors like Bernard and Javed have found ways to manage and openly discuss their autism, the pressure to remain closeted is still a significant reality for many. The fear of judgment and differential treatment from colleagues and employers looms large. Dr. Javed recounts experiencing heightened scrutiny from peers after disclosing her diagnosis, with constant inquiries about her well-being. “That creates more anxiety,” she admits. “We wish to be heard and accepted for who we are. But we don’t necessarily want to be pointed out.”
Concerns about professional reputation also contribute to the reluctance to disclose. “They’re already working so hard to get to where they are. And rocking the boat, sometimes, it’s just not worth it,” explains Dr. Lawrence Fung, a psychiatrist and director of the Stanford Neurodiversity Project.
The consequences of disclosure can be severe. A stark example is a UK-based general practitioner who was dismissed from their training program after revealing their ASD diagnosis. The training program issued a statement, later published in a journal article, expressing regret at the diagnosis but asserting that ASD was a “life-long developmental syndrome which causes permanent impairment” making independent practice as a GP unachievable despite workplace adjustments.
A diverse group of medical professionals in a team meeting, representing inclusivity and collaboration in a neurodiversity-affirming workplace.
Legally, doctors are not obligated to disclose their diagnosis, although disclosure in countries like the US and UK can entitle them to workplace accommodations. Following advocacy from autism peer groups, the dismissed trainee was eventually reinstated and received an apology. However, Dr. Conor Davidson, clinical lead at the Leeds Autism Diagnostic Service, points out the persistence of outdated perspectives: “There’s still a sort of old-school view sometimes that autistic people are sort of too disabled to be doctors, or that they’re not empathetic enough to be a psychiatrist.”
Reframing Autism: Recognizing Strengths and Moving Beyond Deficit-Based Models
Traditional medical textbooks often portray autism through a deficit lens, defining it as a disorder. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes it as a “developmental disability caused by differences in the brain.” Characteristics like repetitive behaviors, intense focus on detail, and sensory sensitivities, which are also features of ADHD, are frequently pathologized.
However, the narrative around autism is evolving. Researchers and advocates are increasingly emphasizing the strengths inherent in autistic traits.
Dr. Fung illustrates this shift in perspective: “Let’s say we see someone on the autism spectrum doing something over and over again. And if you’re using the medical model [of autism], you’re going to call it perseveration,” framing it negatively. But reframed, this same trait becomes persistence and perseverance – valuable assets in many professions. The detail-oriented nature and capacity for deep, focused interests often found in autistic individuals make them exceptionally well-suited for fields like research and healthcare.
Dr. Javed has observed that her openness about her ASD enhances her patient interactions. “I felt that patients were able to connect with me in a better way,” she shares. “Patients tend to give that godly position to doctors. But showing vulnerability as it is and then showing them that it could be one of your strengths is something that gives a lot of confidence to the patient.”
Mental Health and Workplace Support: Addressing the Challenges Faced by Doctors with ASD
Studies highlight the critical need for workplace support for autistic individuals. Lack of support contributes to poorer mental health outcomes. Research indicates that autistic people are four times more prone to depression than their neurotypical counterparts. Nearly half experience severe anxiety. These challenges can escalate to suicidal ideation. A 2014 University of Cambridge study revealed that up to 66 percent of adults with Asperger syndrome (now included under ASD) have contemplated suicide, and 35 percent have attempted it.
Dr. Javed poignantly describes the mismatch: “Autistic people are like square pegs. If you try to hammer them in round holes, you will not get the peg across. You end up breaking it.” She recounts the tragic loss of a doctor in her online support group who left a suicide note expressing despair for the autistic community, requesting anonymity, and declaring “I’m done with this.”
This loss motivated Dr. Javed to establish the Society for Tourette’s, Autism and Neurodiversity (STAN). STAN aims to create a supportive community for neurodivergent professionals across various fields. Raising awareness about neurodiversity is central to her mission, and she is part of a larger global movement. Autistic Doctors International (ADI), a peer support network, now connects over 600 doctors with ASD worldwide. “I had never heard of other autistic doctors until two years ago,” says Dr. Bernard, the Australian lead at ADI. Discovering ADI in 2020 was transformative, offering validation and a space to connect with others navigating similar workplace challenges. “It’s really validating to talk to others who have to juggle sensory overload and executive dysfunction and social differences in a health-care workplace.”
Systemic Change and Growing Acceptance: Towards a Neurodiversity-Affirming Medical Culture
ADI is actively working to improve workplace policies through research on the barriers faced by doctors with ASD. They have partnered with the Royal College of Psychiatrists in the UK to promote neurodiversity awareness.
“As a college, we wanted to include neurodiversity in our equality and inclusion plan more explicitly than it has been up until now,” states Dr. Davidson, who is spearheading these initiatives.
In August 2022, the Royal College updated its Equality Action Plan to prioritize autistic doctors, focusing on resources for workplace adjustments, accessible training and conferences, and using neutral, non-pathologizing language around autism.
ADI, in a response paper published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, views these changes as a positive shift towards greater neurodiversity acceptance within medicine. “There is slowly a shift to the medical world being a bit less deficit-focused and starting to recognize the positives and the strengths of autism and ADHD,” Dr. Bernard affirms.
These efforts are creating a ripple effect. Following a televised appearance, Dr. Javed was contacted by a doctor newly diagnosed with autism who was struggling with their identity.
“They said that they felt internally or permanently broken,” she recalls, “but hearing my diagnosis, it gave them confidence and courage that there are possibilities.”
This article is provided by Scienceline, a project of New York University’s Science, Health and Environmental Reporting Program. It has been slightly modified to reflect Spectrum’s style.
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