Autistic individuals at higher risk for self-harm, suicide.
Autistic individuals at higher risk for self-harm, suicide.
Autistic Individuals Face Heightened Risk of Self-Harm and Suicide, Study Shows
People with autism are over three times more likely than their peers without the developmental disorder to experience self-injury, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, or death by suicide, according to a recent study. This alarming finding highlights the urgent need for increased support for individuals with autism. The study, conducted by researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) at the University of Toronto, demonstrates the life-threatening consequences of the lack of tailored mental health services for autistic people.
Autism, a wide range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication, affects a significant number of children in the United States. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 36 children in the country have autism. Despite its prevalence, autistic individuals often struggle due to a world that generally does not accept their traits.
“Autistic people are continually forced to mask and hide who we are to accommodate a world that does not accept our traits,” says Megan Pilatzke, an autistic individual and advocate. She emphasizes the importance of understanding that autistic people are struggling because their needs are not being adequately met throughout society.
The study’s findings shed light on the gender differences in the rates of self-harm and suicide among autistic individuals. Females with autism were found to have an 83% increased risk of self-harm, while males had a 47% increased risk. The research also revealed that females with autism had a 98% increased risk of suicide, while males had a 34% increased risk. These findings took into account factors such as neighborhood income and location, intellectual disabilities, and psychiatric diagnoses.
Dr. Meng-Chuan Lai, the lead study author, emphasizes the role of psychiatric illnesses in explaining the increased risks among autistic individuals. He emphasizes the need for tailored mental health supports and services to prevent self-harm and suicide-related events. Access to such support is critical for autistic people.
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The study used health administrative databases in Ontario, Canada to analyze nearly 380,000 individuals for self-harm events and almost 335,000 individuals for death by suicide. The research covered a significant period, following individuals from 2005 to 2020 for self-harm events, and from 1993 to 2018 for death by suicide.
However, Alycia Halladay, chief science officer for the Autism Science Foundation, points out that the numbers could be even starker than the study suggests. Halladay notes that the study may not be entirely accurate due to cases of self-harm or suicide that go unreported, highlighting the enduring stigma surrounding suicide. Consequently, the study might actually under-represent the scope of the problem.
Addressing the elevated risks faced by autistic individuals requires a two-pronged approach. Firstly, enhancing access to mental health services is crucial. Secondly, providing autism-informed accommodations within these services is equally important. Lai suggests practical ways to support autistic individuals in healthcare settings, such as offering calming spaces, maximizing predictability, understanding their communication styles and sensory needs, and supporting their preference for an accompanying trusted person.
The study’s findings, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open, underscore the urgent need for improved support and tailored mental health services for autistic individuals. By investing in these resources, society can help mitigate the risks faced by autistic people, providing them with the necessary support to lead fulfilling lives.
Sources:
- HealthDay
- Autism Speaks
- Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), University of Toronto news release
- JAMA Network Open
QUESTION: Is autism a developmental disability?
Answer: Yes.
