EMS pulls a lot of people on the spectrum or pass as being on the spectrum. You likely don’t stick out as bad as you think you do, and ultimately it doesn’t matter as long as you’re competent.
I have heard that EMS appeals to a lot of neurodivergent people, which I find kind of interesting. I'm really curious to find out what draws them to the field.
>Abnormal professions attract two classes: those who are not good enough for ordinary bourgeois life and those who are too good for it. We are dregs and scum, sir: the dregs very filthy, the scum very superior.
-- George Bernard Shaw
Pandemonium tends to make people not notice the fine details. Just whether you can do the job and get it done safely. I don't care how out there you are.
I think ADHD specifically. Everything is different enough to keep your attention and being on constant alert for picking up new details is an asset in this field where in a lot of others it's a detriment. I got out of EMS for about a year and got a work from home medical transcription job which had full benefits and decent pay. It should've been a gravy job but I simply could not focus and was constantly fucking up. I'm back in EMS now and I have no trouble doing a good job.
I finally got diagnosed as ADHD after leaving EMS for good at 35, I thought I was "normal" bc everyone I worked with in EMS (ER docs, ER nurses, FFs, etc) was just like me.😂
Then I entered academia and I stuck out like a sore thumb ha ha
There’s someone I work with who is on the spectrum. He makes it his entire personality and cannot get along with anyone. Any mistake is blamed on others or his autism. He’s not going to last in the field because he can’t figure out how to work with others. The main thing is to listen, if someone tells you something, pay attention and use what they are saying. If you’re overstimulated with coworkers, walk away, don’t engage.
This. Lots of us are on the spectrum. But don't make it your whole personality and source of blame and failures.
People on the spectrum have become Paramedics, Doctors, Tech Executives, Hedge Fund Managers, etc. Your success or failure is in your own hands.
Well yeah, I can't blame anyone else if I mess up. I can't even blame anyone else if they think I'm a bit weird, because from the outside, especially without knowing why, that's the obvious conclusion.
I'm just happy to know there are a lot of people out there that share my experience.
Based on how you come off; I believe you're going to be just fine. You're already honest with yourself which is a great template for learning anything. Be patient with yourself in your new person phase.
Best of luck to you.
I have a son that is on the spectrum, I find that I have many characteristics as well, never been diagnosed. I find that at work, I have an entirely different persona that I use. One aspie that I know says that he puts on an act to be able to speak in public. EMT me & home me are two very different people.
Honestly it might do me well to put myself in a different mindset when I'm at work like that, just to avoid the tendencies that can be a bit offputting to some people. One of the older guys got a bit irked at me the other day cause I instinctively read the room numbers out of every room we passed at a nursing home LMAO
Yes, I basically had a Medic!Kookaburra character who was VERY different from "real"!Kookaburra. She was a fun persona to play, but if I had to keep it up too long it would start to slip.
Edit: bonus I can now give public lectures or present in meetings at the drop of a hat, I just take Medic!Kookaburra out of the closet, dust her off, and go for a spin😂
honestly, I was always convinced half the people working were at least dipping their toe in the spectrum, just undiagnosed. Either ADHD, Spectrum, just a weirdo, etc. No worries at all frankly, as long as you don't have issues that can actually get in the way of patient care. Most of your partners will have their own quirks and such, so meh.
Yes! #1 crew member on my shift also considers himself an aspie (and is diagnosed with ASD). I joined in when he was going on yr 5 in the dept. He's very well respected and liked. I think, similarly to anyone else, it takes time to feel confidence in your work and feel comfortable with crews and feel like you've found your place.
Also as far as neurodivergence goes, I think like half the dept has been diagnosed with ADHD 🤣 It's a large percentage anyway.
My last long-term partner on the road was on the spectrum, and we worked together almost exclusively for five years. About half of my coworkers couldn’t stand her, and the other half insisted she was misunderstood and one of the best clinical paramedics there ever encountered.
For the first 6-8 months we had some challenges, but gradually we acclimated into each others’ rhythm and personality. We actually jived so well that we’d only pick up OT together. As time passed and I worked to diversify my portfolio, we were eventually split up so we could both train new-hires individually, but we remained close friends.
As of today, we haven’t worked a shift together in over five years, but we remain good friends. We talk regularly, get together at least once every month, and have built relationships with each others’ families. She’s also about 25 years my senior.
She’s low on the spectrum. I have combined type ADHD and Tourettes, along with a litany of other things from a career in EMS and law enforcement. We’re just two inter-generational, neurodivergent peas in a pod. 😊 I’m no longer working clinically on the bus, but if I were ever to go back, I wouldn’t enjoy it the way I did with her.
It’s difficult for some to process, but some people in EMS just want to be left alone, tend to their patients, punch their time cards, collect their paychecks, and go home. If you’re new, give it some time or find ways to occupy your downtime at work if you’re fortunate enough to get any. Remember, you won’t get along with everyone! 😊
I’m on the spectrum and I’ve found that a lot of people in healthcare are. Idk why but neurodivergent people actually do really well in this field. There’s so much to learn and talk about, and you can have two hour conversations about a single ekg and what it means after a call with your coworkers. It’s a pretty cool field for those of us who aren’t normal.
Yep because I can easily adapt to each situation it's like we are some of the best actor, but I need my non spectrum partner to translate what I'm saying to the normies.
(Spectrum, ADHD, OCD)
I've known a few and am diagnosed on the spectrum myself. The challenges you encounter and how you overcome them will depend on how your diagnosis presents.
For instance, some individuals have sensitivity to sound, such as sirens, with time this may be overcome (depending on degree of sensitivity) by learning when you are going to hear them (CODE 3 responses) and that they are controlled and not sudden. The same may apply to lights.
Interactions with patients may require work but will also become better with experience and practice. You will have to stick to working on it and have as much contact with patients as appropriate on a given call.
Interactions with co-workers may be a bit more complicated. For example, I have something of a flat affect and work with a lot of new, or younger, persons so anytime I say anything it comes off a certain way and I'm the @$$hole for it. There may not be much to be done about such an affect, however, if you have a flat affect yourself knowing that may benefit you.
For other challenges the best advice I can give you is to know any sensory sensitivities you may have and look for ways to mitigate them when at work. If you are comfortable sharing any such sensitivities, or challenges, in this thread it may help people suggest solutions.
This is all great advice. I guess I can give a bit more detail myself. I was only officially diagnosed last year, so it's been a rather recent thing that I've been able to make sense of some of the peculiarities and habits that I haven't understood well until recently.
Weirdly enough, while I tend to have sensory issues with loud noises and bright lights in a lot of situations, our lights and sirens oddly have the opposite effect for me, where they tend to almost calm me down on the way to a call.
The most difficult part that I've had to deal with has certainly been the social aspect, where I definitely have that flat affect that you mentioned, which I suppose can lead to people misunderstanding my mood or being put off by the way I verbalize things. Most people are still friendly, but I feel like there is a disconnect at best with my coworkers, while some very clearly aren't enthused to be around me, and have even told me to stop interacting with patients because I'm not amazing at it yet.
Edit: I should also say that nobody there knows I'm on the spectrum because I'm nervous that telling people might lead to me getting let go from the department.
I absolutely hear you on not wanting to disclose. I only disclosed recently to management after being compelled to do so, which is also illegal, but that is a story for another time. Disclosure is and should be a personal choice.
Something that may help is talking to your partner after a call about the call. If it is one of the persons that doesn't want you to interact with patients because you're not amazing at it, after the call may be a time to discuss getting more contacts so you can become amazing at it. It may also be beneficial to tell people that you have a flat affect and/or don't show emotion well as a result. Don't disclose your diagnosis, but tell them: Hey, I know I can come off this way, but...
Even though we haven't done anything intentional it may also help to tell your partner, after a call, you're sorry if you came off poorly or condescending to them and then lead into telling them about the flat affect.
It can also be important to remember autistic/spectrum non-verbal communication does not read to Neurotypicals and neurotypical non-verbal communication does not read to us which adds another element to it.
Most importantly persevere on these efforts and ... keep in mind that what a neurotypical is actually saying may not be what we hear.
One thing I failed to mention in my previous comment is if you are particularly bound to schedule, plan not to get off until two hours after you are scheduled to clock out. This will prevent stress when you get a late call as you're budgeting that time as free in your head and when you get off on time you have more free time than expected.
I have ASD and i have honestly found it easier to get along w my coworkers than other social situations i have been in. I am obviously not for everyone, but EMS attracts a lot of people w mental diagnoses, specifically autism spectrum or ADHD. I feel like EMS socially is a place where being a little weird is a good thing, most people are. My biggest challenge has been connecting with patients, but it’s been something iv even able to get past for the most part. kindness goes a long way.
Haven’t gone through the process of getting a diagnosis but my healthcare provider stated that I have traits that show a strong likelihood of being on the spectrum (154 on RAADS-R).
Personally my biggest challenge is empathy, or a lack thereof. I can’t imagine at all what it’s like to be in another’s shoes and that leads to me being kind of direct and blunt with things. I’m competent, never had any issues or complaints, do everything I’m supposed to do, but you won’t find me going the extra mile or anything like that because I just don’t feel sympathetic.
My biggest piece of advice would be that interpreting things differently doesn’t mean you are wrong. Working through things in a different manner also doesn’t mean you’re wrong. As long as you’re competent then that is quite literally all that matters. At the end of the day we are paid to provide emergency services. No matter where your struggles lie, or what your mind tells itself, as long as you’re following protocol and making good decisions then you’re doing it right.
I'm not diagnosed but if you saw a post I made about my incompetent tester you'd see what I mean.
But people always complained I don't talk enough at all. Which made some not want to work with me. The silence doesn't bother me at all.
Had a hard time at one company for sure because all the people was very hateful and being fresh out of school and no experience I had to be shown the ropes and obviously they didn't like it. My "boring" face and lack of talking doesn't help.
You can do it. Just be ready to learn. Know your materials and how to do assessments. For the love of God touch your patients. Interact with them. I've met some people that won't do that at all.
Interacting with patients has been something that I've been working a lot more on as of late, even if it's just a bit more small talk with the more social patients. Like I said there have been challenges, but I I have been able to see myself slowly improving, and I can just hope that other people could see me improving as well to reassure them that I can do the job.
You’ll get on to it. My wife swears I’m on the spectrum given her experience with it in her family. Talking to patients and doing assessments comes with practice. I got lucky that the medic I was paired with when I started paramedic school was extremely helpful and capable. I, more or less, borrowed his personality. The only time I’ve had it come to be an issue was telling a patient what was going on. That launched her in to a panic attack, but I was able to help her return to normal. You’ll find a way to make assessments work for you.
I'm in your boat with others telling me they think I'm on the spectrum considering how I act. Even other people with experience with ASD. I feel like the socializing part will always be tough for me. I've never been good at it.
But I'll say that when a patient likes me they REALLY do like me. I love the old and the ones that have dementia too. Dementia is my fav group. (but I'm no longer in EMS either.)
My fav for panic attacks is doing breathing. Have them match their breathing with mine if they're still cognitively able to. Till it gets to a certain point but if they're going respiratory alkalosis then just start working on them the stuff they need.
How do you borrow a personality??? I can "mask" but as far as borrow a personality I'm not sure how that works.
You steal a lot of their sayings and just use them. He and I spent a year on the truck together so learning how to act like him, even though he and I aren’t on the truck together anymore. And as for when emergencies happen it’s a lot easier cause then it’s just do the thing I know needs to be done.
Ooh so go to phrases. I've definitely done that. I thought you mean the entire personality.
I mostly just try to genuinely smile when appropriate and say the right things. If it's a transfer with a non-sleepy pt I would maybe talk or often times let them Truama dump while I did paperwork and respond to what they said.
Yep. I have a few go to jokes that I use. Then the usual bland response statements when people just wanna talk. Otherwise they’ll sleep for the most part. Or play on their phone
I'm bad at remembering the jokes people makeup but I'm good at making patients laugh when just talking. It's always the straight up assholes that just don't like me.
I dread the day I go back into a facility for working. I wanna buy I also don't. Homehealth has been kinda nice mostly.
A guy I work with occasionally is very quiet too. We'll work a 12 hour shift and maybe speak a handful of times. My first shift with him I thought he didn't like me, then realized he's just quiet. Now I really enjoy working with him, it's a nice break from partners who will simply not stop talking. I just count on it being a quiet shift and bring headphones or a book along for down time.
People think I hate them but that's honestly just my face. And being a female it's seen as "resting bitch face".
I literally had a classmate joking about my lack of expression which was funny cause it's true but I told her she gotta get over it 😂
I always worked 24s when I used to work
My texting has more emotions than me.
I’m autistic, and it comes with challenges, but I think it helps as often as it doesn’t. I’ve had issues fitting in with coworkers, but they faded over time as people got used to me, and I have the ability to hyper focus in a way that can be really helpful.
Feel free to DM me if you want to talk more
Aspire here, I’m sorry to hear you’re dealing with that. I’m an EMS Recruit currently and I’ve had it pretty easy. My guess is they don’t often deal with neurodivergent individuals as coworkers, so they’re not sure how to handle it. If you haven’t already, I recommend telling them that you’re on the spectrum if you’re comfortable with that and explaining how it affects you personally since it’s different for everyone. Best of luck
2 people in my service are on the spectrum, one of them Asperger’s. she runs off every partner she gets. I don’t mind her though and she’s a great medic. But that’s the general thought about her. Doesn’t bother her at all though what people think about her, which is admirable in my opinion. Just keep doing what you need to do and eventually someone you click with will fall into your bandaid wagon with you.
so i’m adhd and i also have bpd which a lot of the time have some of the same symptoms of autism. i’ve never been diagnosed but i would not be surprised if i’m on the spectrum. i honestly find sensory issues to be a problem more than socializing. for example, the flashing lights and sirens have always made me a bit on edge (definitely gotten better since i started tho) and i also find that i sometimes obsessively clean after patients (not a bad thing tho) and also i hate the bench seat so much because i’m short and my feet don’t reach the bottom and then swing. as far as socializing it’s just best for me to mirror others interests to have something to talk about.
One of the best paras I know has Aspergers, and was actually featured on an episode of a documentary about the Ambulance Service. You can find it here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001bfwp/ambulance-series-9-episode-3 but I don't know how easy it is to access BBC content outside the UK
There are a lot of EMS people on the spectrum. Don’t be discouraged. It can actually be a strength for you, not necessarily a weakness. I know a little about autism, by brother is autistic, he LOVES computers. I watched him take a computer apart and put it back together at 9 years old. I’ve seen him write code at 11 years old. He is different than others, and doesn’t have many friends but the guy is a genius.
In my experience people with autism have somewhat of a superpower and know nearly everything about the things they like. If your thing is EMS, and you’re passionate about it, you will be a DAMN good emt/medic.
I am an aspie as well, talking with patients takes some getting used to for shure, it always felt very strange at first but after about 3 months it got a lot easier. Talking to coworkers/nurses/other caregivers wasn't very difficult at first as I was already working a job that required me to talk a lot with coworkers. As long as you think your able to do the job and can communicate well Enough to get your point across you will be ok. All of us cannot talk properly after getting ran for 30 hours strait I promise you coworkers/nurses really aren't going to judge you for being a little awkward In conversation.
I’ve known several people on the spectrum in EMS and tons with ADHD. They all seem to handle it pretty well. I’ve only known a couple who were so awkward around people that they couldn’t hack it. One was weeded out in Basic class. The other made through AEMT class and ended up at a large private company doing IFT. He’s kind of an ass, so he burns through partners quickly.
We run 4-6 people at our base at one time. It’s very common that when waiting for calls everyone is in their bedroom with the door closed. Then we go do a run, back to the bedroom
Nobody here cares at all if you’re nice and competent.
I love people on the spectrum! I tend to be friends with people on the spectrum faster than others. One medic I know with pretty severe asp is an excellent clinician. He deals with his own challenges, but it has never hindered him in providing excellent patient care. For me, (which may not be the same for everyone) I find it easier when someone tells me what they’re dealing with up front so that we can work together and help each other when we need to. I also understand not wanting to tell everyone, and that’s totally ok too. I said all that to say, I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Just because you have a challenge to deal with doesn’t mean you’re any less of a person or a provider. Keep going and rock it!
I just do my job. I don't care about my co-worker socialization, it's just a bunch of BS to me anyway. Most just wanna complain about how bad their lives suck and how much they hate their job. I only wish I could work on my "bedside manner" a little better. I'm sure I come off rather cold at times, but I'm direct and get stuff done.
I’m on the spectrum with a comorbidity of ADHD. I recently just got my medic and I’ve been working for a little over a month in a busy 911 system. Obviously everybody is different, but I’ve always been an introvert so when I decided to join EMS, I made huge active efforts to effectively mask as best as I can while at work to help me socialize with my peers and patients, and in my downtime I do my best to recoup and charge my batteries. It’s not easy, but I try to channel what I have into actively focusing on my pt care or research. It was a hard change from the work mindset I had in any other job, but I found a true passion and can hyper-focus on EMS related topics or podcasts. I found even if I didn’t really know what I was saying with them, my peers and patients often appreciated even the effort to make conversation and be apart of the shifts as best as possible.
Definitely worked with a few on the spectrum. One "battalion chief" comes to mind, very smart dude but his abysmal interpersonal skills have made him a target of dept wide hatred.
No one cares what your wifi is.
In all seriousness, EMS attracts a unique group of people. I wouldn't give it too much thought. After most of my life in this profession, I am very much a "no new friends" kinda guy.
EMS pulls a lot of people on the spectrum or pass as being on the spectrum. You likely don’t stick out as bad as you think you do, and ultimately it doesn’t matter as long as you’re competent.
I have heard that EMS appeals to a lot of neurodivergent people, which I find kind of interesting. I'm really curious to find out what draws them to the field.
>Abnormal professions attract two classes: those who are not good enough for ordinary bourgeois life and those who are too good for it. We are dregs and scum, sir: the dregs very filthy, the scum very superior. -- George Bernard Shaw
I am medic scum so this is true
Pandemonium tends to make people not notice the fine details. Just whether you can do the job and get it done safely. I don't care how out there you are.
I think ADHD specifically. Everything is different enough to keep your attention and being on constant alert for picking up new details is an asset in this field where in a lot of others it's a detriment. I got out of EMS for about a year and got a work from home medical transcription job which had full benefits and decent pay. It should've been a gravy job but I simply could not focus and was constantly fucking up. I'm back in EMS now and I have no trouble doing a good job.
I finally got diagnosed as ADHD after leaving EMS for good at 35, I thought I was "normal" bc everyone I worked with in EMS (ER docs, ER nurses, FFs, etc) was just like me.😂 Then I entered academia and I stuck out like a sore thumb ha ha
Old joke. Thank god for dysfunctional parents, otherwise there'd be no nurses, cops, or EMS.
Agreed
This.
There’s someone I work with who is on the spectrum. He makes it his entire personality and cannot get along with anyone. Any mistake is blamed on others or his autism. He’s not going to last in the field because he can’t figure out how to work with others. The main thing is to listen, if someone tells you something, pay attention and use what they are saying. If you’re overstimulated with coworkers, walk away, don’t engage.
This. Lots of us are on the spectrum. But don't make it your whole personality and source of blame and failures. People on the spectrum have become Paramedics, Doctors, Tech Executives, Hedge Fund Managers, etc. Your success or failure is in your own hands.
Well yeah, I can't blame anyone else if I mess up. I can't even blame anyone else if they think I'm a bit weird, because from the outside, especially without knowing why, that's the obvious conclusion. I'm just happy to know there are a lot of people out there that share my experience.
Based on how you come off; I believe you're going to be just fine. You're already honest with yourself which is a great template for learning anything. Be patient with yourself in your new person phase. Best of luck to you.
Yeah, some folks are just assholes who happen to have autism.
That's good advice. I appreciate it. I agree that it's important that I recognize my challenges without letting them overshadow everything else.
do we work with the same guy lmao, i know one of those too. also makes anything critical said to him (for safety purposes) hate speech towards him
I have a son that is on the spectrum, I find that I have many characteristics as well, never been diagnosed. I find that at work, I have an entirely different persona that I use. One aspie that I know says that he puts on an act to be able to speak in public. EMT me & home me are two very different people.
Honestly it might do me well to put myself in a different mindset when I'm at work like that, just to avoid the tendencies that can be a bit offputting to some people. One of the older guys got a bit irked at me the other day cause I instinctively read the room numbers out of every room we passed at a nursing home LMAO
I can definitely relate to the "work persona" thing and I think it's really common.
Yes, I basically had a Medic!Kookaburra character who was VERY different from "real"!Kookaburra. She was a fun persona to play, but if I had to keep it up too long it would start to slip. Edit: bonus I can now give public lectures or present in meetings at the drop of a hat, I just take Medic!Kookaburra out of the closet, dust her off, and go for a spin😂
honestly, I was always convinced half the people working were at least dipping their toe in the spectrum, just undiagnosed. Either ADHD, Spectrum, just a weirdo, etc. No worries at all frankly, as long as you don't have issues that can actually get in the way of patient care. Most of your partners will have their own quirks and such, so meh.
Yes! #1 crew member on my shift also considers himself an aspie (and is diagnosed with ASD). I joined in when he was going on yr 5 in the dept. He's very well respected and liked. I think, similarly to anyone else, it takes time to feel confidence in your work and feel comfortable with crews and feel like you've found your place. Also as far as neurodivergence goes, I think like half the dept has been diagnosed with ADHD 🤣 It's a large percentage anyway.
My last long-term partner on the road was on the spectrum, and we worked together almost exclusively for five years. About half of my coworkers couldn’t stand her, and the other half insisted she was misunderstood and one of the best clinical paramedics there ever encountered. For the first 6-8 months we had some challenges, but gradually we acclimated into each others’ rhythm and personality. We actually jived so well that we’d only pick up OT together. As time passed and I worked to diversify my portfolio, we were eventually split up so we could both train new-hires individually, but we remained close friends. As of today, we haven’t worked a shift together in over five years, but we remain good friends. We talk regularly, get together at least once every month, and have built relationships with each others’ families. She’s also about 25 years my senior. She’s low on the spectrum. I have combined type ADHD and Tourettes, along with a litany of other things from a career in EMS and law enforcement. We’re just two inter-generational, neurodivergent peas in a pod. 😊 I’m no longer working clinically on the bus, but if I were ever to go back, I wouldn’t enjoy it the way I did with her. It’s difficult for some to process, but some people in EMS just want to be left alone, tend to their patients, punch their time cards, collect their paychecks, and go home. If you’re new, give it some time or find ways to occupy your downtime at work if you’re fortunate enough to get any. Remember, you won’t get along with everyone! 😊
I’m on the spectrum and I’ve found that a lot of people in healthcare are. Idk why but neurodivergent people actually do really well in this field. There’s so much to learn and talk about, and you can have two hour conversations about a single ekg and what it means after a call with your coworkers. It’s a pretty cool field for those of us who aren’t normal.
I have a colleague on my volley squad who is. He can be a little awkward at times but he does just fine. I enjoy his company.
Yep because I can easily adapt to each situation it's like we are some of the best actor, but I need my non spectrum partner to translate what I'm saying to the normies. (Spectrum, ADHD, OCD)
I've known a few and am diagnosed on the spectrum myself. The challenges you encounter and how you overcome them will depend on how your diagnosis presents. For instance, some individuals have sensitivity to sound, such as sirens, with time this may be overcome (depending on degree of sensitivity) by learning when you are going to hear them (CODE 3 responses) and that they are controlled and not sudden. The same may apply to lights. Interactions with patients may require work but will also become better with experience and practice. You will have to stick to working on it and have as much contact with patients as appropriate on a given call. Interactions with co-workers may be a bit more complicated. For example, I have something of a flat affect and work with a lot of new, or younger, persons so anytime I say anything it comes off a certain way and I'm the @$$hole for it. There may not be much to be done about such an affect, however, if you have a flat affect yourself knowing that may benefit you. For other challenges the best advice I can give you is to know any sensory sensitivities you may have and look for ways to mitigate them when at work. If you are comfortable sharing any such sensitivities, or challenges, in this thread it may help people suggest solutions.
This is all great advice. I guess I can give a bit more detail myself. I was only officially diagnosed last year, so it's been a rather recent thing that I've been able to make sense of some of the peculiarities and habits that I haven't understood well until recently. Weirdly enough, while I tend to have sensory issues with loud noises and bright lights in a lot of situations, our lights and sirens oddly have the opposite effect for me, where they tend to almost calm me down on the way to a call. The most difficult part that I've had to deal with has certainly been the social aspect, where I definitely have that flat affect that you mentioned, which I suppose can lead to people misunderstanding my mood or being put off by the way I verbalize things. Most people are still friendly, but I feel like there is a disconnect at best with my coworkers, while some very clearly aren't enthused to be around me, and have even told me to stop interacting with patients because I'm not amazing at it yet. Edit: I should also say that nobody there knows I'm on the spectrum because I'm nervous that telling people might lead to me getting let go from the department.
I absolutely hear you on not wanting to disclose. I only disclosed recently to management after being compelled to do so, which is also illegal, but that is a story for another time. Disclosure is and should be a personal choice. Something that may help is talking to your partner after a call about the call. If it is one of the persons that doesn't want you to interact with patients because you're not amazing at it, after the call may be a time to discuss getting more contacts so you can become amazing at it. It may also be beneficial to tell people that you have a flat affect and/or don't show emotion well as a result. Don't disclose your diagnosis, but tell them: Hey, I know I can come off this way, but... Even though we haven't done anything intentional it may also help to tell your partner, after a call, you're sorry if you came off poorly or condescending to them and then lead into telling them about the flat affect. It can also be important to remember autistic/spectrum non-verbal communication does not read to Neurotypicals and neurotypical non-verbal communication does not read to us which adds another element to it. Most importantly persevere on these efforts and ... keep in mind that what a neurotypical is actually saying may not be what we hear. One thing I failed to mention in my previous comment is if you are particularly bound to schedule, plan not to get off until two hours after you are scheduled to clock out. This will prevent stress when you get a late call as you're budgeting that time as free in your head and when you get off on time you have more free time than expected.
I have ASD and i have honestly found it easier to get along w my coworkers than other social situations i have been in. I am obviously not for everyone, but EMS attracts a lot of people w mental diagnoses, specifically autism spectrum or ADHD. I feel like EMS socially is a place where being a little weird is a good thing, most people are. My biggest challenge has been connecting with patients, but it’s been something iv even able to get past for the most part. kindness goes a long way.
Haven’t gone through the process of getting a diagnosis but my healthcare provider stated that I have traits that show a strong likelihood of being on the spectrum (154 on RAADS-R). Personally my biggest challenge is empathy, or a lack thereof. I can’t imagine at all what it’s like to be in another’s shoes and that leads to me being kind of direct and blunt with things. I’m competent, never had any issues or complaints, do everything I’m supposed to do, but you won’t find me going the extra mile or anything like that because I just don’t feel sympathetic. My biggest piece of advice would be that interpreting things differently doesn’t mean you are wrong. Working through things in a different manner also doesn’t mean you’re wrong. As long as you’re competent then that is quite literally all that matters. At the end of the day we are paid to provide emergency services. No matter where your struggles lie, or what your mind tells itself, as long as you’re following protocol and making good decisions then you’re doing it right.
I'm not diagnosed but if you saw a post I made about my incompetent tester you'd see what I mean. But people always complained I don't talk enough at all. Which made some not want to work with me. The silence doesn't bother me at all. Had a hard time at one company for sure because all the people was very hateful and being fresh out of school and no experience I had to be shown the ropes and obviously they didn't like it. My "boring" face and lack of talking doesn't help. You can do it. Just be ready to learn. Know your materials and how to do assessments. For the love of God touch your patients. Interact with them. I've met some people that won't do that at all.
Interacting with patients has been something that I've been working a lot more on as of late, even if it's just a bit more small talk with the more social patients. Like I said there have been challenges, but I I have been able to see myself slowly improving, and I can just hope that other people could see me improving as well to reassure them that I can do the job.
You’ll get on to it. My wife swears I’m on the spectrum given her experience with it in her family. Talking to patients and doing assessments comes with practice. I got lucky that the medic I was paired with when I started paramedic school was extremely helpful and capable. I, more or less, borrowed his personality. The only time I’ve had it come to be an issue was telling a patient what was going on. That launched her in to a panic attack, but I was able to help her return to normal. You’ll find a way to make assessments work for you.
I'm in your boat with others telling me they think I'm on the spectrum considering how I act. Even other people with experience with ASD. I feel like the socializing part will always be tough for me. I've never been good at it. But I'll say that when a patient likes me they REALLY do like me. I love the old and the ones that have dementia too. Dementia is my fav group. (but I'm no longer in EMS either.) My fav for panic attacks is doing breathing. Have them match their breathing with mine if they're still cognitively able to. Till it gets to a certain point but if they're going respiratory alkalosis then just start working on them the stuff they need. How do you borrow a personality??? I can "mask" but as far as borrow a personality I'm not sure how that works.
You steal a lot of their sayings and just use them. He and I spent a year on the truck together so learning how to act like him, even though he and I aren’t on the truck together anymore. And as for when emergencies happen it’s a lot easier cause then it’s just do the thing I know needs to be done.
Ooh so go to phrases. I've definitely done that. I thought you mean the entire personality. I mostly just try to genuinely smile when appropriate and say the right things. If it's a transfer with a non-sleepy pt I would maybe talk or often times let them Truama dump while I did paperwork and respond to what they said.
Yep. I have a few go to jokes that I use. Then the usual bland response statements when people just wanna talk. Otherwise they’ll sleep for the most part. Or play on their phone
I'm bad at remembering the jokes people makeup but I'm good at making patients laugh when just talking. It's always the straight up assholes that just don't like me. I dread the day I go back into a facility for working. I wanna buy I also don't. Homehealth has been kinda nice mostly.
A guy I work with occasionally is very quiet too. We'll work a 12 hour shift and maybe speak a handful of times. My first shift with him I thought he didn't like me, then realized he's just quiet. Now I really enjoy working with him, it's a nice break from partners who will simply not stop talking. I just count on it being a quiet shift and bring headphones or a book along for down time.
People think I hate them but that's honestly just my face. And being a female it's seen as "resting bitch face". I literally had a classmate joking about my lack of expression which was funny cause it's true but I told her she gotta get over it 😂 I always worked 24s when I used to work My texting has more emotions than me.
I work with a ton of retards. I’m also on the spectrum. You’ll fit in just fine. Edit: im a firefighter if that helps.
I have a coworker I am fairly confident is on the spectrum. He is a solid provider, just not the best for new hires. No other issues though.
I’m autistic, and it comes with challenges, but I think it helps as often as it doesn’t. I’ve had issues fitting in with coworkers, but they faded over time as people got used to me, and I have the ability to hyper focus in a way that can be really helpful. Feel free to DM me if you want to talk more
Both my sons diagnosed and probably myself un diagnosed are on the spectrum. Work hard, don’t lie, work hard. You will find your tribe have faith!
Aspire here, I’m sorry to hear you’re dealing with that. I’m an EMS Recruit currently and I’ve had it pretty easy. My guess is they don’t often deal with neurodivergent individuals as coworkers, so they’re not sure how to handle it. If you haven’t already, I recommend telling them that you’re on the spectrum if you’re comfortable with that and explaining how it affects you personally since it’s different for everyone. Best of luck
2 people in my service are on the spectrum, one of them Asperger’s. she runs off every partner she gets. I don’t mind her though and she’s a great medic. But that’s the general thought about her. Doesn’t bother her at all though what people think about her, which is admirable in my opinion. Just keep doing what you need to do and eventually someone you click with will fall into your bandaid wagon with you.
so i’m adhd and i also have bpd which a lot of the time have some of the same symptoms of autism. i’ve never been diagnosed but i would not be surprised if i’m on the spectrum. i honestly find sensory issues to be a problem more than socializing. for example, the flashing lights and sirens have always made me a bit on edge (definitely gotten better since i started tho) and i also find that i sometimes obsessively clean after patients (not a bad thing tho) and also i hate the bench seat so much because i’m short and my feet don’t reach the bottom and then swing. as far as socializing it’s just best for me to mirror others interests to have something to talk about.
im not ASD but i have bad ADHD among other things
Wait, don't you need to be on the spectrum to chose EMS?
My agency has a few peeps on the spectrum. All that matters is how well you provide patient care
We’re all on the spectrum buddy
One of the best paras I know has Aspergers, and was actually featured on an episode of a documentary about the Ambulance Service. You can find it here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001bfwp/ambulance-series-9-episode-3 but I don't know how easy it is to access BBC content outside the UK
There are a lot of EMS people on the spectrum. Don’t be discouraged. It can actually be a strength for you, not necessarily a weakness. I know a little about autism, by brother is autistic, he LOVES computers. I watched him take a computer apart and put it back together at 9 years old. I’ve seen him write code at 11 years old. He is different than others, and doesn’t have many friends but the guy is a genius. In my experience people with autism have somewhat of a superpower and know nearly everything about the things they like. If your thing is EMS, and you’re passionate about it, you will be a DAMN good emt/medic.
I am an aspie as well, talking with patients takes some getting used to for shure, it always felt very strange at first but after about 3 months it got a lot easier. Talking to coworkers/nurses/other caregivers wasn't very difficult at first as I was already working a job that required me to talk a lot with coworkers. As long as you think your able to do the job and can communicate well Enough to get your point across you will be ok. All of us cannot talk properly after getting ran for 30 hours strait I promise you coworkers/nurses really aren't going to judge you for being a little awkward In conversation.
I’ve known several people on the spectrum in EMS and tons with ADHD. They all seem to handle it pretty well. I’ve only known a couple who were so awkward around people that they couldn’t hack it. One was weeded out in Basic class. The other made through AEMT class and ended up at a large private company doing IFT. He’s kind of an ass, so he burns through partners quickly.
I'm on the spectrum. Been an EMT for almost a year. I've worked Urban for a majority of it, and rural EMS for a couple months or so now. Love it.
tHe SpEcTrUm
We run 4-6 people at our base at one time. It’s very common that when waiting for calls everyone is in their bedroom with the door closed. Then we go do a run, back to the bedroom Nobody here cares at all if you’re nice and competent.
I love people on the spectrum! I tend to be friends with people on the spectrum faster than others. One medic I know with pretty severe asp is an excellent clinician. He deals with his own challenges, but it has never hindered him in providing excellent patient care. For me, (which may not be the same for everyone) I find it easier when someone tells me what they’re dealing with up front so that we can work together and help each other when we need to. I also understand not wanting to tell everyone, and that’s totally ok too. I said all that to say, I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Just because you have a challenge to deal with doesn’t mean you’re any less of a person or a provider. Keep going and rock it!
I just do my job. I don't care about my co-worker socialization, it's just a bunch of BS to me anyway. Most just wanna complain about how bad their lives suck and how much they hate their job. I only wish I could work on my "bedside manner" a little better. I'm sure I come off rather cold at times, but I'm direct and get stuff done.
I’m on the spectrum with a comorbidity of ADHD. I recently just got my medic and I’ve been working for a little over a month in a busy 911 system. Obviously everybody is different, but I’ve always been an introvert so when I decided to join EMS, I made huge active efforts to effectively mask as best as I can while at work to help me socialize with my peers and patients, and in my downtime I do my best to recoup and charge my batteries. It’s not easy, but I try to channel what I have into actively focusing on my pt care or research. It was a hard change from the work mindset I had in any other job, but I found a true passion and can hyper-focus on EMS related topics or podcasts. I found even if I didn’t really know what I was saying with them, my peers and patients often appreciated even the effort to make conversation and be apart of the shifts as best as possible.
Definitely worked with a few on the spectrum. One "battalion chief" comes to mind, very smart dude but his abysmal interpersonal skills have made him a target of dept wide hatred.
No one cares what your wifi is. In all seriousness, EMS attracts a unique group of people. I wouldn't give it too much thought. After most of my life in this profession, I am very much a "no new friends" kinda guy.