Table 3

Sensory barriers

Autistic n (%)Non-autistic n (%)Difference (95% CI)P value
Reasons to avoid or delay GP visit (sensory)
The waiting room environment256 (51)12 (8)42.8% (36.4% to 49.3%)<0.001
Specific sensory challenges
Noise in the waiting room from other patients319 (63)19 (12)51% (43.8% to 57.8%)<0.001
Crowded waiting area299 (59)22 (14)45% (37.6% to 52.3%)<0.001
Bright or fluorescent lights268 (53)14 (9)44% (37.3% to 50.6%)<0.001
Uncomfortable furniture195 (39)11 (7)32% (25.2% to 37.7%)<0.001
Unexpected touch193 (38)9 (6)32% (26.3% to 38.3%)<0.001
Music playing in the waiting room172 (34)9 (6)28% (22.3 to 34.1%)<0.001
Smells in the waiting room171 (34)8 (5)29% (22.9% to 34.4%)<0.001
Touch during examination160 (32)11 (7)25% (18.5% to 30.7%)<0.001
Noise from the reception desk140 (28)4 (3)25% (20.0% to 30.1%)<0.001
Smells in the doctor’s office104 (21)6 (4)17% (11.7% to 21.7%)<0.001
None of the above (sensory)51 (10)112 (71)−61% (−69.2% to −53.3%)<0.001
  • GP, general practitioner.