Table 2.

Communication barriers

	Autistic n (%)	Non-autistic n (%)	Difference (95% CI)	P value
Reasons to avoid or delay GP visit (communication)
Difficulty using the telephone to book an appointment	314 (62)	25 (16)	46% (38.5% to 53.5%)	<0.001
Not feeling understood	283 (56)	21 (13)	42% (35.2% to 49.7%)	<0.001
Difficulty communicating with the doctor during the appointment	269 (53)	10 (6)	47% (40.5% to 52.9%)	<0.001
Difficulty communicating with the reception staff	235 (46)	13 (8)	38% (31.5% to 44.6%)	<0.001
Communication preferences
Telephone generally avoided where possible	395 (78)	59 (38)	40% (31.5% to 49.1%)	<0.001
Voicemail generally avoided where possible	311 (61)	61 (39)	23% (13.3% to 31.6%)	<0.001
Verbal, face-to-face communication generally avoided where possible	152 (30)	12 (8)	22% (16.2% to 28.5%)	<0.001
It is easier for me to communicate in writing	208 (41)	13 (8)	33% (26.3% to 39.2%)	<0.001
Communication challenges
Anxiety makes it harder to communicate	395 (78)	42 (23)	51% (42.9% to 59.4%)	<0.001
Sensory issues make communication more difficult	156 (31)	2 (1)	30% (24.7% to 34.3%)	<0.001
I need extra time to process what is being said	286 (56)	12 (8)	49% (42.4% to 55.2%)	<0.001
I can’t describe my pain or symptoms accurately	272 (54)	36 (23)	31% (22.4% to 39.0%)	<0.001
Verbal communication is difficult	234 (46)	11 (7)	39% (32.8% to 45.5%)	<0.001
I express emotions differently for example, I can appear angry when I am afraid or in pain	227 (45)	6 (4)	41% (35.3% to 46.6%)	<0.001
I have difficulty prioritising when describing medical symptoms	333 (66)	34 (22)	44% (36.0% to 52.1%)	<0.001
I need to give the whole story and not leave anything out	332 (66)	18 (12)	54% (47.1% to 60.9%)	<0.001
None of the above (communication)	11 (2)	58 (37)	−35% (−42.8% to −26.7%)	<0.001

GP, general practitioner.