Autism and GP surgeries - parents/carers

We are from the North East Autism Society and we are making a series of documentary films about the hidden barriers that neurodivergent people can face in everyday life.

We are currently working on a film about doctors' surgeries, the challenges they can pose for autistic patients, and the support they can offer.

Our questionnaire asks 16 questions about your experiences at the doctors, good and bad, and how they affect the child or adult you support. It will take around 15 minutes to complete. Your answers will help us better understand the issues and explain them to doctors and NHS bosses.

Your answers will be anonymous, but if you would like to be interviewed for the film, please leave your contacts details at the end of the survey.

You can find out more about the Hidden Barriers films here.

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* 1. Which of the below best describes the feelings of the person you support?

It doesn't worry them.

They'd rather not go, but they just get on with it.

They don't like going and they need reassurance beforehand.

It's challenging to get them there.

Other

If "other", or you can give further detail on any of your answers, please do so here.

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* 2. Do they have difficulty identifying or communicating pain sometimes?

Yes

If "yes", please explain.

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* 3. If they do have difficulty identifying or communicating pain, what challenges does this cause you?

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* 4. Do you find it difficult to book an appointment at the doctors?

Yes

Sometimes

Never

If yes, or sometimes, can you explain what the difficulties are?

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* 5. Do you have consent to speak on their behalf, either on the phone or in person?

Yes

If yes, was it difficult to set up? Have the doctors ever refused to speak to you on their behalf?

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* 6. If you do have consent to speak on their behalf, was it straightforward to set up and do doctors always respect it?

Yes

Please give further details/explanation here.

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* 7. Which, if any, of the following cause the person problems in the waiting area?

Noise, e.g. music, conversations

Lights

Temperature

Crowds

Knowing when it's your turn to go in

None of the above

Other (please specify), or give more details about anything you've ticked above

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* 8. If the doctor is running late, does this cause problems?

Yes

If "yes", can you give more details?

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* 9. Do you always see the same doctor, or the doctor you expected when booking the appointment?

Yes

If "no", does this cause any problems?

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* 10. How well do you feel your GP(s) understands autism and how it affects the person you support?

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* 11. Have the person's health concerns ever been dismissed as part of autism or anxiety?

Yes

If "yes", please explain.

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* 12. Are there any types of examinations or tests that they physically don't like?

Yes

If "yes", please specify and explain why they cause problems.

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* 13. Do you or the person you support find it difficult to process what the GP is asking or explaining? (Or if it's a questionnaire, what it is asking?)

Yes

If yes, please explain.

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* 14. After an appointment, is it difficult to get a prescription or follow instructions on how the treatment is to be taken?

Yes

If yes, please give more details.

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* 15. Do you get reasonable accommodations at the GP surgery?

Yes, I was aware they offered adjustments and I asked for them

Yes, the surgery offered adjustments

No, I asked for adjustments but they refused

No, I asked for adjustments but they aren't always implemented

No, I wasn't aware they offered adjustments or that I could ask for them

Please give further details if relevant.

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* 16. What adjustments would you ask for if you could? (eg longer appointments, quiet waiting area)

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* 17. If there is anything else you would like to raise or add, please do so here.

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* 18. If you would like to be interviewed for the film Hidden Barriers: Autism and GPs, please leave your name and email address and/or telephone number here so we can get in touch with you.