Guiding Lights - Krystal Cooke
As fall settles on Victoria’s Cordova Bay neighbourhood, Krystal Cooke finds a few minutes between raising her two young boys and her work as an LPN in surgical daycare at Royal Jubilee Hospital to talk about recognizing neurodiversity in patients and co-workers and finding cultural safety.
Cooke is a BCNU steward and acts as the union's South Islands region Workers with Disabilities caucus representative. She is authoring a research project on neurodiversity inclusivity. It aims to create resources and education for nurses to approach neurodiverse patients in a culturally safe way and to create care plans that truly meet their needs.
Cooke started the project after her sons, now aged eight and four, were both diagnosed with ADHD. “As I navigated getting them help, I realized my own knowledge gap – as a mother and as a nurse – about the condition,” she shares. “And what often happens after a child is diagnosed with ADHD? Their parent is also diagnosed. And that’s what happened to me – an ADHD diagnosis. So, I got to work. My research shows that the single most common professions where people on the autism spectrum work are health care and social assistance.”
“I believe that creating a neurodiversity-inclusive workplace can transform its culture”
Cooke’s project aims to educate health-care workers on communicating effectively and providing culturally safe support for neurodiverse people. It also aims to help nurses better understand and use the available screening tools.
“In my research,” she continues, “I’ve recognized a gap in understanding how to provide care to a neurodiverse patient. We don’t always recognize the condition in our patients, and that may alter their treatment. Workers need to be socialized around responding to neurodiversity.”
Cooke approached a vice president of Island Health and let him know about her project, suggesting they partner on it. Thanks to his support, Krystal is now working on a presentation to teach staff how to support neurodiverse workers.
“I believe that creating a neurodiversity-inclusive workplace can transform its culture,” says Cooke with a smile. But these changes can help neurodiverse patients better access the care they need as well.
Many neurodiverse patients seek care in the emergency department because of barriers navigating primary care. “With this project, I’m hoping to offer them a way to help shape their own care plan,” says Cooke. “I'm working on a form the patient fills out upon arrival helping them describe their needs. If we establish this before care begins, we’ll set people up for success,” she explains. “And just maybe, we can catch people before they fall.”
UPDATE (Winter 2024)
10 QUESTIONS WITH KRYSTAL COOKE
What is one word you would use to describe yourself?
Neurospicy.
If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?
I am hyper verbal. That’s always been a challenge for me.
What is one thing about you that people would be surprised to learn?
I was very shy as a youth.
Where did you go on your last vacation?
Kananaskis Mountain Lodge.
What is one place in the world you’d most like to visit?
Yellowstone National Park.
What was the last good thing you read?
The Algebra of Wealth by Scott Galloway.
What was the best piece of career advice you’ve received?
Learn policy.
What do you like most about being a nurse?
It’s very special to help people at their worst moments. You try your hardest to comfort and support, but this can take a huge emotional toll. But special moments let you know you chose the right career; at a recent event, a former patient’s husband recognized me and thanked me for my care.
What do you like least about being a nurse?
The abuse and violence we may encounter.
Name one change you would make to the health system?
I want it to lift people out of poverty, not entrench them.