In short
You can ask any Australian hospital or clinic for changes that make care manageable.
A quieter wait, information step by step, or extra time all count. Refusing reasonable adjustments can be unlawful under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. The exception is unjustifiable hardship. A general practitioner (GP) can set up a Mental Health Treatment Plan. That covers rebated psychology sessions.
What’s in this sheet
- Where to get support, and who to start with
- Making a one-page plan to take with you
- Asking a hospital or clinic for what helps
- Crisis lines you can call or text any time
Know where to get support
Know where to get support
Getting health care can be harder when you are neurodivergent. That word is wide. It takes in Autistic and ADHD people, dyslexia, dyspraxia, PDA, sensory processing and more. The list does not stop there. What helps you will be your own, and asking for it is reasonable.
Care that works for you
You can ask any hospital or clinic for changes that make care manageable. That might be a quieter wait, or information step by step. Extra time to take things in also counts. Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, section 24 covers services. It can be unlawful for a service to refuse reasonable adjustments. The one exception is where meeting them would cause unjustifiable hardship. If a service refuses, you can complain to the Australian Human Rights Commission. What extra disability support a hospital offers varies by state. Before a planned visit, ask that hospital what it can put in place.
Get mental health support
Plans, rebates and crisis care
Support for your mental health
Your usual general practitioner (GP) can set up a Mental Health Treatment Plan. So can the practice you are registered with through MyMedicare. Going elsewhere may mean no rebate. The plan gives a Medicare rebate towards up to ten psychology sessions a year. The count resets on 1 January. The first referral covers up to six, and your GP reviews before the rest. The rebate is only part of each session, so there is often a gap. Each state and territory also runs community mental health services. If low mood, anxiety or exhaustion lasts more than two weeks, ask for help. The support lines below are there any time you need them sooner.
If it becomes an emergency
Emergencies are a lot to handle. It helps to tell staff early how you communicate, and what makes things easier. That might be fewer questions at once, or lower noise and light. A short written summary of your needs can speak for you when talking is hard.
If you need to talk to someone now
- Lifeline: 13 11 14, or text 0477 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
- 13YARN: 13 92 76, for First Nations callers
- In an emergency, always call 000
Make your one-page plan
Make your one-page plan
When you are overwhelmed, explaining yourself is the hardest thing. A short summary you prepare in advance can do the talking for you. Fill this in on a calm day. Keep it in your phone or wallet, and share it whenever it helps.
My health support summary
My name and how I like to be addressed:
How I communicate best (and what makes it harder):
What helps me feel calm and regulated:
Sensory needs, and what to avoid:
Who to contact, and key health information:
Ask for what helps
Ask for what helps
Emergencies are overwhelming. It is reasonable to ask for what makes care safer for you. Here is what you can ask for, and what the team can do.
You can ask for
- A quieter space, or the lights turned down
- To keep a comfort or sensory item with you
- Information shown or written, not just spoken
- One thing explained at a time
- A support person to stay with you
- Extra time to answer, and fewer questions at once
The team can
- Bring down noise and bright light where they can
- Tell you what is about to happen before it does
- Explain how a treatment will feel
- Give you a moment between steps
- Check how you would rather communicate
- Keep your support person in the loop
Common questions
Questions people ask us
Can I ask a hospital for adjustments?
Yes. You can ask any hospital or clinic for changes that make care manageable. That might be a quieter wait, or information step by step. Extra time to take things in also counts. Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, refusing reasonable adjustments can be unlawful.
How do I get a Mental Health Treatment Plan?
Ask your usual general practitioner (GP). You can also ask the practice you are registered with through MyMedicare. Going elsewhere may mean no rebate. The plan gives a Medicare rebate towards psychology sessions. The first referral covers up to six. Your GP reviews how it is going before the rest.
How many psychology sessions does Medicare cover?
Up to ten each calendar year, resetting on 1 January. The first referral covers up to six. Your general practitioner (GP) reviews before the rest. The rebate is only part of each session. There is often a gap for you to pay.
What can I ask for in an emergency?
You can ask for a quieter space, or the lights turned down. You can keep a comfort or sensory item with you. You can ask for information written or shown. You can ask for one thing explained at a time. You can ask for a support person to stay with you.
What should I put in a health support summary?
Your name and how you like to be addressed. How you communicate best, and what makes it harder. What helps you feel calm and regulated. Your sensory needs, and what to avoid. Who to contact, and key health information. Fill it in on a calm day.
Where can I get help right now in Australia?
Lifeline is 13 11 14, and you can text 0477 13 11 14. Beyond Blue is 1300 22 4636. 13YARN is 13 92 76 for First Nations callers. These lines are open any hour, and the counselling is free. In an emergency, always call 000.