Together with the core manifestations of autism, autistic individuals often experience high rates of psychological comorbidities. 72% of ASD children had at least one additional DSM diagnosis (1). In fact, sensory over responsivity may occur in combination with overactive and overfocused selective attention as a byproduct or factor of anxiety (2). Numerous lifestyle factors contribute to this increased risk, including increased likelihood for isolation, resulting in greater stress and a higher risk of depression and anxiety.
The most common psychological comorbidities include (3):
The most common psychological comorbidities include (3):
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Challenges in Mental HEalth Support for ASD Individuals
It is often difficult to find effective and affordable mental health support which can result in difficulties with employment, independent living, exacerbated sleeping issues amongst other negative outcomes. This can often be complicated by assuming behavior is due to an individual’s autism diagnosis, but in actuality it may not be related at all. It is important for providers to not always blame an individual’s symptoms on previous diagnoses, instead to distinguish between different conditions and behaviors.
Furthermore, there is a lack of providers or facilities who are adequately trained to or willing to work with ASD individuals. Across the US, in 2019, 43% of mental health treatment facilities provide behavioral care for ASD children, 36.6% are accepting ASD children as new patients, 12.7% have clinicians with specialized training and 4.3% have a specialized treatment program (5).
Forms of Mental Health Care for ASD individuals
Psychologists can support ASD individuals from providing mental health care to supporting the needs of caregivers as they provide care. In general, interventions for ASD and other disabilities require a multifaceted approach due to its heterogeneous nature. Two ASD tailored forms of therapy are:
- Mindfulness stress reduction (MBSR)
- Involves mindfulness meditation, body awareness, and yoga to explore thinking and behavioral patterns
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Uses an action-focused approach to find effective strategies for goal-oriented regulation of emotions and behavior
Sources
(1) Leyfer, O. T., Folstein, S. E., Bacalman, S., Davis, N. O., Dinh, E., Morgan, J., Tager-Flusberg, H., & Lainhart, J. E. (2006). Comorbid psychiatric disorders in children with autism: Interview development and rates of disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 36(7), 849–861. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-006-0123-0
(2) Liss, M., Saulnier, C., Fein, D., & Kinsbourne, M. (2006). Sensory and attention abnormalities in autistic spectrum disorders. Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 10(2), 155–172. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361306062021
(3) Matson, J. L., & Cervantes, P. E. (2014). Commonly studied comorbid psychopathologies among persons with autism spectrum disorder. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 35(5), 952–962. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2014.02.012
(4) Nicolaidis, C., Raymaker, D. M., McDonald, K. E., Baggs, W. A. E. V., Dern, S., Kapp, S. K., Weiner, M., Boisclair, C., & Ashkenazy, E. (2015). “Respect the way I need to communicate with you”: Healthcare experiences of adults on the autism spectrum. Autism : The International Journal of Research and Practice, 19(7), 824–831. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361315576221
(5) Cantor, J., McBain, R. K., Kofner, A., Stein, B. D., & Yu, H. (2020). Fewer Than Half Of US Mental Health Treatment Facilities Provide Services For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Health Affairs, 39(6), 968–974. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2019.01557
(6) Sizoo, B. B., & Kuiper, E. (2017). Cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness based stress reduction may be equally effective in reducing anxiety and depression in adults with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 64, 47–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2017.03.004
(2) Liss, M., Saulnier, C., Fein, D., & Kinsbourne, M. (2006). Sensory and attention abnormalities in autistic spectrum disorders. Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 10(2), 155–172. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361306062021
(3) Matson, J. L., & Cervantes, P. E. (2014). Commonly studied comorbid psychopathologies among persons with autism spectrum disorder. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 35(5), 952–962. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2014.02.012
(4) Nicolaidis, C., Raymaker, D. M., McDonald, K. E., Baggs, W. A. E. V., Dern, S., Kapp, S. K., Weiner, M., Boisclair, C., & Ashkenazy, E. (2015). “Respect the way I need to communicate with you”: Healthcare experiences of adults on the autism spectrum. Autism : The International Journal of Research and Practice, 19(7), 824–831. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361315576221
(5) Cantor, J., McBain, R. K., Kofner, A., Stein, B. D., & Yu, H. (2020). Fewer Than Half Of US Mental Health Treatment Facilities Provide Services For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Health Affairs, 39(6), 968–974. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2019.01557
(6) Sizoo, B. B., & Kuiper, E. (2017). Cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness based stress reduction may be equally effective in reducing anxiety and depression in adults with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 64, 47–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2017.03.004
