Discrimination, lack of empathy, and completely unacceptable care…read more
Today, my son, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and I experienced one of the worst healthcare experiences we have ever had.
From the moment we arrived, we were treated with hostility. The first thing I was told was that my appointment had been canceled because I supposedly failed to confirm it. However, I never received a phone call, email, or text message asking me to confirm my appointment. Ironically, they did send a confirmation for my son's appointment. Despite that, I was blamed and my appointment was canceled.
After that, we were left waiting much longer than expected for my son's appointment. I explained several times that my son has autism and that long waits are very difficult for him. No one seemed to care.
When they finally called him in for his eye imaging, I explained to the technician that my son has autism and kindly asked her to be patient with him. She didn't even acknowledge what I said.
She immediately started giving him abrupt commands: "Sit down," "Open your eyes," "Put your chin here." My son was already visibly anxious, and I was doing everything I could to help him stay calm and cooperate.
At the next machine, the technician suddenly pushed the equipment toward him. He became frightened and started crying. Once again, I explained that he has autism and asked her to please be patient and gentle.
Instead of showing any understanding, she abruptly got up, walked out of the room, and returned a few minutes later only to say, "Go out and wait in the lobby."
I asked why, how long we would have to wait, and what was happening. Her response was simply, "I don't know... maybe 20 or 30 minutes." There was no explanation, no communication, and no attempt to continue the exam. We were simply told to leave the room.
While my son sat there crying, scared and confused, no one came to explain anything or check on us.
I decided to speak with the office manager. Before she even allowed me to explain what had happened, she angrily told me that I had arrived ten minutes late and had failed to confirm my appointment, as if that somehow justified the way my son was being treated.
I explained that this had nothing to do with my appointment. My concern was the way my son was being treated. I told her I felt we were being discriminated against because of his disability and that they seemed unwilling to continue his examination after learning he has autism. She showed no interest in listening or helping.
The most heartbreaking part of this experience was hearing my son apologize for being scared and crying during the exam. No child with autism should ever feel the need to apologize for being afraid.
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder deserve patience, understanding, respectful communication, and reasonable accommodations--not indifference, impatience, or dismissive treatment.
We received no empathy, no compassion, no professionalism, and no respect.
I sincerely hope this office provides proper training to its staff on how to care for patients with disabilities and neurodivergent individuals. No family should ever have to go through such a humiliating experience.
Zero empathy. Zero compassion. Zero professionalism. Completely unacceptable.
