How I Make Telehealth Work for Me: My Top 5 Tips

In my previous post, I shared how telehealth revolutionized my healthcare experience. As an autistic individual, traditional doctor visits often left me feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and misunderstood. Telehealth, on the other hand, allowed me to focus, communicate, and receive the help I needed all from the comfort of my own space.

 

Like anything new, it took some getting used to. If you're autistic or neurodivergent and considering telehealth, here are five strategies that have made a significant difference for me:

1. Prepare a list of talking points. Before each session, I write down a few key points, observations, questions, or symptoms I want to discuss. This way, if I become anxious or lose my train of thought, I have a reference to fall back on. 

2. Choose a calming environment. I always take calls in a place where I feel secure, usually my room, with soft lighting and minimal distractions. This helps me stay grounded and in control of the experience. 

3. Use headphones. Headphones help block out background noise, allowing me to focus solely on the doctor's voice. They also create a sense of privacy, which reduces my stress levels.

4. Utilize the chat feature. There are days when verbal communication is challenging. On those days, I've found typing my responses in the chat box to be a helpful alternative. The key is to communicate my thoughts in a way that works for me.

5. Keep a comforting item close. Whether it's a fidget toy, a weighted blanket, or simply rocking in my chair, I allow myself to stim freely during appointments. It helps me stay present without feeling the need to mask.

Telehealth isn't flawless, but it's significantly improved how I engage with healthcare. It allows me to be myself, rather than who I feel I need to be in a waiting room.

If you've been finding in-person visits challenging, remember: you're not alone. And telehealth might just be the shift that helps you feel seen, heard, and supported.