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Neurodiversity in practice: autistic anaesthetists can be an asset

Early in my anaesthesia training I attended a seminar at the Association of Anaesthetists, where a study comparing the psychological traits of anaesthetists and physicians was discussed [1]. The debate centred on whether anaesthesia attracted already eccentric doctors or whether anaesthesia made us odd, and regardless of causality, the consensus was that we’re a fairly unusual bunch. I knew at that point that I’d made the right career choice, even though I didn’t discover until years later when my son was diagnosed, that I’m not just odd – I’m actually autistic.