Supporting Neurodivergent Individuals: Navigating Healthcare Sensory Accommodations
At Hopper Health, we're driven by a single mission: to dramatically improve healthcare for neurodivergent adults. A crucial aspect of this mission is recognizing and addressing the diverse sensory needs of our members in healthcare settings. We have first-hand experience navigating healthcare as neurodivergent people, and know that it can be overwhelming, especially for those who may be unaware of the accommodations available to them. We’re here to help you advocate for your needs.
Seeking adjustments in a medical context can be intimidating, whether due to illness, pain, or the fear of being misunderstood. Many neurodivergent individuals often find themselves masking their access needs, in an attempt to avoid potential stigma. At Hopper Health we firmly believe that everyone deserves care that aligns with their individual needs. To better understand the spectrum of sensory sensitivities, and how it relates to healthcare, we'll use this blog as a crash course for our members to explore eight senses, including the traditional five (touch, sight, hearing, smell, and taste). We’ll also explore three additional senses highly relevant to neurodivergent individuals: proprioception (body position awareness), vestibular (balance and spatial orientation), and interoception (internal sensations like hunger, thirst, and temperature).
For neurodivergent individuals, responses to sensory input often exist at the extremes: hypersensitivity, where stimuli are felt intensely, or hyposensitivity, where responses are muted. Hypersensitivity implies heightened responsiveness to stimuli, while hyposensitivity indicates a diminished response. We know that the interplay of these sensitivities varies for each person, necessitating a nuanced approach to accommodations. We focus on collaboration between our members, their Peer Navigator and our providers to ensure that you feel confident in advocating for your access needs, and suggesting changes along the way to make (and keep!) you as comfortable as possible. Here a brief summary of how we apply it to our virtual health care practice:
Tactile Sensitivity: Touch & Accomodations
Whether hypersensitive or hyposensitive to touch, our members find comfort in the telehealth environment we offer. Virtual appointments allow the use of fidget toys, weighted blankets, or stress balls without fear of judgment. Members can dress in clothing that suits their comfort, without the need for "outside clothes" typically worn to in-person appointments.
2. Visual Sensitivity: Sight and Accommodations
Our telehealth platform empowers members to make their experience their own. Closed captioning, controlled lighting, and the option to turn off video when unnecessary for diagnosis are available. Additionally, varied communication modes, like voice memos and chat-based text, cater to those who have different preferences.
3. Auditory Sensitivity: Sound and Accommodations
Telehealth uniquely benefits those with auditory sensitivities, enabling control over their environment. Noise-canceling headphones facilitate focused virtual appointments, and alternative communication modes such as captions and chat alleviate discomfort caused by sound.
4. Gustation Sensitivity: Taste and Accommodations
Gustation sensitivities are met with practical and tactical advice. Our discussions around diet consider individual sensory preferences, bodily needs and safe foods. We understand that dietary changes must be realistic and practical for neurodivergent individuals with taste and texture sensitivities.
5. Olfactory Sensitivity: Smell and Accommodations
Our telehealth clinic offers a sanctuary for individuals with olfactory sensitivities, allowing them to control their environment. By focusing on virtual care, our providers are able to minimize our patients’ exposure to intense smells, ensuring comfort and well-being.
6. Proprioception and Vestibular Sensitivity: Body Position and Balance
Telehealth's flexibility caters to those with proprioception and vestibular sensitivities. Virtual visits are navigated with careful consideration of body movement and moving at your own pace, providing a support system for diagnosis involving motion. No one will judge you for putting your feet up, sitting like a pretzel, or lying down during your appointment.
7. Interoception Sensitivity: Internal Sensations and Accommodations
Understanding interoception hypersensitivity, we empower individuals to communicate their unique sensations. Accommodations are extended to ensure in-person visits are comfortable and minimally intrusive.
Not sure which of these, if any, would help you best? No worries at all, that’s what our Peer Navigator system is for. By working with a fellow neurodivergent Peer Navigator you’re able to ask questions and get suggestions about accommodations that might make your healthcare experience more enjoyable, even if you just think it could help.
Every person is unique, and sensory needs may evolve over time, but our commitment to supporting sensory needs will always remain a primary focus. At Hopper Health, we go beyond just accommodations; we understand and embrace the diverse sensory experiences that shape each individual. We invite you to embark on this journey with us, where the reduction of stigma is celebrated, and the pursuit of care that respects and supports your whole self is our shared goal.