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'People like me don't get support': Autistic adults' experiences of support and treatment for mental health difficulties, self-injury and suicidality.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Camm-Crosbie, Louise 
Bradley, Louise 
Shaw, Rebecca 
Baron-Cohen, Simon 

Abstract

Autistic people are at high risk of mental health problems, self-injury and suicidality. However, no studies have explored autistic peoples' experiences of treatment and support for these difficulties. In partnership with a steering group of autistic adults, an online survey was developed to explore these individuals' experiences of treatment and support for mental health problems, self-injury and suicidality for the first time. A total of 200 autistic adults (122 females, 77 males and 1 unreported) aged 18-67 (mean = 38.9 years, standard deviation = 11.5), without co-occurring intellectual disability, completed the online survey. Thematic analysis of open-ended questions resulted in an overarching theme that individually tailored treatment and support was both beneficial and desirable, which consisted of three underlying themes: (1) difficulties in accessing treatment and support; (2) lack of understanding and knowledge of autistic people with co-occurring mental health difficulties and (3) appropriate treatment and support, or lack of, impacted autistic people's well-being and likelihood of seeing suicide as their future. Findings demonstrate an urgent need for autism treatment pathways in mental health services.

Description

Keywords

Autism spectrum condition, mental health, self-injury, suicide, support, treatment, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Autistic Disorder, Female, Health Services Accessibility, Humans, Male, Mental Disorders, Middle Aged, Self-Injurious Behavior, Suicidal Ideation, Surveys and Questionnaires, Young Adult

Journal Title

Autism

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1362-3613
1461-7005

Volume Title

23

Publisher

SAGE Publications
Sponsorship
Medical Research Council (G0600977)