ASD in the ED

Communication Barriers-Why ASD Patients Struggle to Express Their Needs in the ED

Many autistic patients struggle with communication, especially in stressful environments like the emergency department. This episode explores the neurobiological reasons why communication can be challenging for autistic individuals, the impact of stress, and associated conditions such as ADHD, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). We’ll discuss how these conditions influence communication difficulties, how they affect interactions in healthcare settings, and what strategies can help mitigate these challenges. Additionally, we’ll address controversial practices such as insisting on verbal responses and misinterpreting delayed speech as noncompliance and why these approaches can be harmful.