Strategies to improve the magnetic resonance imaging experience for autistic individuals: a cross-sectional study exploring parents and carers’ experiences

This publication is included in the Autistic Autism Scholarship Project. one author of this publication is identified as autistic in the project.

About the autistic author marker

Stogiannos, N., Pavlopoulou, G., Papadopoulos, C., Walsh, G., Potts, B., Moqbel, S., Gkaravella, A., McNulty, J. P., Simcock, C., Gaigg, S. B., Bowler, D., Marais, K., Cleaver, K., Harvey-Lloyd, J. M., dos Reis, C. S., & Malamateniou, C. (2023). Strategies to improve the magnetic resonance imaging experience for autistic individuals: a cross-sectional study exploring parents and carers’ experiences. BMC Health Services Research, 23(1), 1375-1375. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-10333-w

Publication date: 7 Dec 2023 Added to AutiHub: 18 Sep 2026 Type: Article Article language: English

This publication is integrated into AutiHub through:

Authors

Publication authors
16
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 16 (6.2%)

Abstract

Abstract Background Autistic individuals encounter numerous barriers in accessing healthcare, including communication difficulties, sensory sensitivities, and a lack of appropriate adjustments. These issues are particularly acute during MRI scans, which involve confined spaces, loud noises, and the necessity to remain still. There remains no unified approach to preparing autistic individuals for MRI procedures. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with parents and carers of autistic individuals in the UK to explore their experiences, barriers, and recommendations concerning MRI scans. The survey collected demographic information and experiential accounts of previous MRI procedures. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, while key themes were identified within the qualitative data through inductive thematic analysis. Results Sixteen parents/carers participated. The majority reported difficulties with communication, inadequate pre-scan preparation, and insufficient adjustments during MRI scans for their autistic children. Key barriers included an overwhelming sensory environment, radiographers’ limited understanding of autism, and anxiety stemming from uncertainties about the procedure. Recommended improvements encompassed accessible communication, pre-visit familiarisation, noise-reduction and sensory adaptations, staff training on autism, and greater flexibility to meet individual needs. Conclusions There is an urgent need to enhance MRI experiences for autistic individuals. This can be achieved through improved staff knowledge, effective communication strategies, thorough pre-scan preparation, and tailored reasonable adjustments. Co-producing clear MRI guidelines with the autism community could standardise sensitive practices. An individualised approach is crucial for reducing anxiety and facilitating participation. Empowering radiographers through autism-specific education and incorporating insights from autistic individuals and their families could transform MRI experiences and outcomes.

Bibliography cited by this reference

Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.

Cited bibliography overview

These indicators describe the bibliography cited by this publication. An author name is counted each time it appears in one cited reference, so the same person can be counted more than once. Names not yet linked to an author already present in AutiHub are treated as unknown, not as non-autistic. Last computed: 19 Sep 2026 01:01.

Cited references
58
With a DOI
53
Without a DOI, from raw bibliography text
5
9 / 58 (15.5%) cited references include at least one author identified as autistic.
References with data to complete
5 / 58 (8.6%)
References with detected author names
53 / 58 (91.4%)
Without detected author names
5
Without a structured title
5
Without a stable identifier
5
References with raw author names still to review
5
References with external metadata lookup issues
0
These indicators apply to cited references displayed on this page, after technical duplicates have been merged. A reference without a DOI can still support author statistics when a title and author names are available.
Author names detected in the cited bibliography
287
From DOI or external metadata
287
From validated raw bibliography text
0
Raw names already validated
0
Raw names still to review
5
112 / 287 (39.0%) names are linked to an author already present in AutiHub. 175 / 287 (61.0%) names are not yet linked.
Names linked to a person identified as autistic
20 / 287 (7.0%)
Calculated across all author names detected in the cited bibliography. Among names linked to an author already present in AutiHub: 20 / 112 (17.9%). Distinct people identified as autistic: 15 / 247 (6.1%).
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