Table 4

Barriers and outcomes associations for autistic respondents

Untreated mental health conditionUntreated physical health conditionSpecialist referral missedTold they should have presented soonerMore extensive treatment or surgery requiredSerious or life-threatening condition
Difficulty using the telephone to book an appointmentp<0.001p<0.001p=0.036p=0.015n.s.p=0.007
Difficulty with advance planningp=0.020p=0.032p<0.001p=0.030n.s.n.s.
Difficulty communicating with reception staffp<0.001p<0.001p=0.008p<0.001p=0.041p=0.004
Difficulty communicating with the doctor during the appointmentp<0.001p<0.001p<0.001p=0.003p=0.003p=0.002
The waiting room environmentp=0.007p<0.001n.s.p=0.010p<0.001n.s
Inability to see a known or preferred doctorp<0.001p=0.003n.s.p=0.027n.s.n.s
Waiting to see the doctor is too difficultp=0.018p=0.001n.s.n.s.p=0.026n.s.
Not feeling understoodp<0.001p<0.001p<0.001n.s.n.s.p=0.026
Needing a support person to come with men.s.p=0.002p=0.004n.s.p=0.009p=0.002
  • n.s, not significant.