How does autism affect recognising when to seek medical care?

PostedDecember 23, 2025

UpdatedDecember 23, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Lucia Alvarez, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Autistic people can experience health differently, and this can sometimes make it harder to notice when something is wrong or when medical help is needed. According to NHS England and NICE guidance, these differences are not about ignoring symptoms, they often relate to how the brain interprets internal signals, processes information, and communicates concerns.

Interoception differences can make symptoms harder to notice

Many autistic people experience differences in interoception, the ability to recognise internal bodily sensations such as pain, hunger, nausea, or temperature. Evidence from a 2025 systematic review and a 2022 interoception study shows that autistic individuals may either miss early symptoms or find sensations harder to interpret.

These studies suggest that autistic people often have lower interoceptive accuracy and may experience sensations more intensely or confusingly. NHS England also notes that early signs of illness may not feel clearly “medical” for some autistic people.

Communication differences may delay help-seeking

NICE explains that autistic people may have distinct communication styles that affect how symptoms are described. Their guidance on autism, NICE CG142, highlights that people may struggle to label internal sensations, feel unsure how to describe pain, or worry about being misunderstood.

NICE also emphasises the importance of gathering information from multiple sources during healthcare assessments to ensure clarity and avoid miscommunication.

Sensory and practical barriers in healthcare

According to NHS England, sensory stressors such as bright lights, noise and busy waiting areas can make attending appointments harder for autistic people.

Research published in BMJ Open reports additional barriers, including difficulty using telephone booking systems, limited appointment time, and past negative experiences.

A well-documented issue is diagnostic overshadowing, where physical symptoms are mistakenly attributed to autism. A systematic review examining this issue is available via PubMed and highlights the risk of delayed diagnosis.

Why this matters

Large studies, including a 2025 review in Frontiers, show that autistic adults often face delays in receiving healthcare due to these communication, sensory and systemic barriers.

NHS and NICE recommend accessible communication, additional processing time and small adjustments within services to support earlier and safer help-seeking.

Key takeaway

Autism can influence how someone recognises the need for medical care, often due to interoception differences, communication styles and sensory or structural barriers in healthcare. With clearer communication and supportive adjustments, recognising and acting on symptoms becomes much easier for autistic people and their families.

Lucia Alvarez, MSc

Author

Lucia Alvarez is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and extensive experience providing evidence-based therapy and psychological assessment to children, adolescents, and adults. Skilled in CBT, DBT, and other therapeutic interventions, she has worked in hospital, community, and residential care settings. Her expertise includes grief counseling, anxiety management, and resilience-building, with a strong focus on creating safe, supportive environments to improve mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.