This is my annual Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month episode. This year, I'm joined by returning guest Dr. Brittany Hoffmann-Eubanks. She was on the show in December 2021 to talk about Medical Writing (Episode 127 https://bit.ly/4cIVeBt).

To read the FULL show notes, visit https://www.thepharmacistsvoice.com. Click the Podcast tab, and select episode 369.

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Disclaimer: Brittany is joining us today as a pharmacist, a mom, and an advocate for her autistic child. The perspectives and experiences she shares are her own and do not represent her employer or any organization she's affiliated with.

In this episode, we're discussing neuroaffirming care, "dispensing" practical tips to help you better serve patients on the autism spectrum, and providing context to help you understand the broader ecosystem that patients on the spectrum and their caregivers navigate every day. Once you hear about neuroaffirming care, it just might change the way you approach all neurodiverse patients and possibly improve your relationships with them, too.

At the very end of this episode, I give an update about my son Kraig, who is now 23 and has autism.

Take-aways from this episode

If you've met one person with autism, you've met one person with autism. Every person with autism is different.
Curiosity is a clinical skill. When you're curious, you get the information you need to have positive patient interactions.
Presume competence, but verify understanding. Use tools like the teach-back method, especially when a caregiver is involved.
Meet patients where they are. Tailor your patient counseling to meet your patient's needs. That might mean slowing down your rate of speech during patient counseling, adjusting your communication style, including a parent or caregiver in the conversation, or being mindful of sensory needs like noise, light, taste, texture, or smell.
Social stories are a useful tool. Use pictures paired with statements to help patients on the spectrum learn about a shot or a medication before they experience it.
Language matters. People with autism are "people first." Don't objectify or dehumanize them with language - intentionally or accidentally.
Pharmacists are consistent touch points in our fragmented US healthcare system. We may see neurodiverse patients more often than their primary care or other providers see them. You are a constant in someone's life. Think ability first. Think about what you are able to do as that constant in your patient's life. The next time you interact with a patient who is neurodiverse, try doing just one thing differently. Wait a little longer for your patient to respond, ask one more question, use their name, etc. Those small moments may even save you time later. They build trust, prevent confusion, reduce callbacks, and help patients get it right the first time.

These calls to action will make your care more effective, not add additional burdens.

If this episode resonated with you, I'd love to hear from you. Send me a message through social media or the contact form on my website, thepharmacistsvoice.com. Tell me what you learned or how you've applied it in your practice.

If you know a fellow pharmacy professional who needs to hear this episode, please share it with them. Thank you for listening!

Links from this episode

Brittany Hoffman-Eubanks on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-hoffmann-eubanks/
Brittany on Episode 127 of The Pharmacist's Voice Podcast https://bit.ly/4cIVeBt
Autism Society of America https://autismsociety.org/
American Pharmacists Association (APhA) https://www.pharmacist.com/
Ohio Pharmacists Association (OPA) https://www.ohiopharmacists.org
The Perrysburg Podcast Episode (Kaizen Educational Group: Helping Children with Learning Differences in Perrysburg) https://www.perrysburgpodcast.com/141

Previous episodes about autism awareness and acceptance

The Pharmacist's Voice Podcast Episode 332 - Social Stories for Patients: Getting a Shot (May 2025) https://bit.ly/4dDc6JM
The Pharmacist's Voice Podcast Episode 327 - 2025 Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month Episode - Transition to Adult Services https://bit.ly/3GCzqLc
The Pharmacist's Voice Podcast Episode 273 - 10 lessons I learned from raising a child with autism (2024) https://bit.ly/4aOky6o
The Pharmacist's Voice Podcast Episode 213 - 2023 How is autism connected to The Pharmacist's Voice Podcast? https://bit.ly/3Ai0EAv
The Pharmacist's Voice Podcast Episode 147 - 2022 Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month Solo Episode (pictures on the website) https://bit.ly/3LHcA2E
The Pharmacist's Voice Podcast Episode 146 - 2022: Interview with Dr. Christina Madison, PharmD, FCCP, AAHIVP about Autism Awareness and Acceptance https://bit.ly/3L8Znzt

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