Mary Doherty, M.D.

Dr. Mary Doherty is a Clinical Associate Professor at University College Dublin School of Medicine and Consultant Anaesthetist in Ireland.

As founder of Autistic Doctors International, Mary has brought together a vibrant community of autistic doctors from across the world, with a focus on peer support, advocacy, research, and training.

Her research interests include healthcare for autistic people as well as the experiences and support needs of autistic medical students and doctors. Current projects include the experiences of autistic psychiatrists and reasonable accommodations for autistic clinicians.

She developed the Autistic SPACE framework for meeting the needs of autistic people in healthcare settings, including anaesthesia.

As the mother of 2 neurodivergent young people, Mary is passionate about optimising mental and physical health for autistic people, and she believes that moving from traditional deficit framing of autism to a neurodiversity affirmative approach is the way forward.

Related link to Dr. Doherty's presentation: Autistic Experiences of Breast Cancer