Resource Tag: AUTISM

There is growing concern about psychiatric illness co-occurring with gender-diversity and neurodiversity, including risk of suicidal behavior. We carried out systematic reviews of research literature pertaining to suicide attempt rates in association with gender- and neurodiversity, with meta-analysis of findings. Rates of suicidal acts ranked: gender-diverse versus controls (20.1% vs. 1.90%; highly significant) > autism […]

Background: Suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts (SA) are common in autistic individuals, but prevalence rates have not yet been estimated with meta-analysis. Aims: This meta-analysis aims to estimate SI and SA prevalence rates in autistic individuals and identify subgroup differences based on sample characteristics and study quality. Methods: A systematic search identified 52 studies with 88,509 autistic participants reporting […]

Over the past few years, more and more research is showing that many autistic people are at an increased risk for suicide. In this study, we asked participants from the Netherlands Autism Register, which is longitudinal register including individuals with autism, about their possible experiences with thoughts and feelings about suicide. Specifically, we looked at […]

Autistic people are more likely to consider suicide than non-autistic people, with transition-aged youth (ages 16–21 years) at potentially the highest risk. Research has also shown that difficulties with executive functioning  (e.g., difficulties with organization, sequencing, and decision-making) may heighten suicide risk among non-autistic people, but it is not clear whether this is also true […]

Background Health-related risky behaviors (HRB) generally refer to behaviors that have a negative influence on health and quality of life. HRB in adolescents with autism have not been well understood so far. We aim to explore health-related risky behaviors and their risk factors with autistic adolescents. Methods In this study, 150 adolescents with autism and […]

Importance: Reasons for elevated suicide risks among autistic people are unclear, with insufficient population-based research on sex-specific patterns to inform tailored prevention and intervention. Objectives: To examine sex-stratified rates of self-harm events and suicide death among autistic individuals compared with nonautistic individuals, as well as the associated sociodemographic and clinical risk factors. Design, Setting, and […]

Suicide is a major problem worldwide, but individuals with autism may be at particular risk due to multiple factors—perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belonging, and capability for suicide, according to the IPTS model for suicidality as modified by Pelton and Cassidy (2017). This article focuses on these three factors and proposes a new feature of the model: […]

Background Autistic adults experience more frequent suicidal thoughts and mental health difficulties than non-autistic adults, but research has yet to explain how these experiences are connected. This study explored how anxiety and depression contribute to suicidal thoughts according to the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide for autistic and non-autistic adults. Methods Participants (autistic adults n = 463, 61% female; […]

Objective: This study employed network analysis to characterize central autism spectrum disorder (ASD) traits and suicide symptoms within an active duty military sample as well as to identify symptoms that may bridge between ASD traits and suicidality (i.e., suicidal ideation and behaviors). Method: Participants were active duty U.S. military service members (N = 287). Autism spectrum traits, suicidality, […]

Background: Individuals with Asperger syndrome (AS) may be at higher risk for attempting suicide compared to the general population. Aims: This study examines the issue of suicidality in adults with AS. Method: An online survey was completed by 50 adults from across Ontario. The sample was dichotomized into individuals who had attempted suicide (n = 18) and those […]

Background The purpose of the study was to investigate whether autistic traits predicted the presence and recurrence of self-harm and to determine any relationship mediated by the Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide (IPTS), which composed of the social infuence of negative life experiences on suicide, is referred to as “acquired capability”, while proximal social risk […]

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors and nonsuicidal self-injury are more common in autistic adolescents than non-autistic adolescents, per parent- and self-report. Clinician-rated measures of suicide risk (e.g. Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale) have not been investigated with autistic youth despite high parent–child rating discrepancies. In the present study, the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale was employed […]

Background Suicide prevention is a national priority for the UK government. Autistic people are at greater risk of experiencing self-harm and suicidal thoughts and behaviours than the general population. Safety plans are widely used in suicide prevention but have not yet been designed with and for autistic people. We developed the first safety plan specifically […]

Background Suicide prevention is a national priority for the UK government. Autistic people are at greater risk of experiencing self-harm and suicidal thoughts and behaviours than the general population. Safety plans are widely used in suicide prevention but have not yet been designed with and for autistic people. We developed the first safety plan specifically […]

Background Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) has been linked with a higher risk of suicide attempts in autistic and non-autistic people. In the general population, NSSI may confer acquired capability for suicide by eroding one’s fear and avoidance of pain and death. The present study aimed to explore acquired capability as the mediator of increased suicide risk […]

Objectives Higher prevalence of suicidality has been reported in individuals with ASD. This study aimed to (1) Estimate the prevalence of suicidal ideation (SI) in epidemiologically-ascertained, population-based, samples of children with ASD or Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) Screen Positivity (ASP); (2) Determine whether ASD/ASP is an independent risk factor for SI, controlling for known […]

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social communication defcits and the presence of repetitive and restricted behaviors. Based on tracking of 8-year-old children within 11  communities in the USA, 1 in 54 children was identifed with ASD in 2016 by the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network (Maenner et […]

This study investigated rates of suicidal ideation (SI) and suicidal and/or self-injurious behaviour (SSIB) reported by parents on the Child Behavior Checklist for 178 children with ASD over four annual assessments (ages 7-11 years). Analyses examined the frequency and persistence of SI and SSIB, and the association of SI and SSIB at any time point […]

There has been a heightened awareness of an increased risk of suicidality among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) due to high rates of suicidal ideation (SI) in this population (11–66%). The current study investigated the rate of parent-endorsed SI and associated clinical features in 48 youths with ASD (Age; M: 12.97 years, SD: 2.33). SI was endorsed in […]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the implementation of universal suicide risk screening in pediatric neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD) medical clinics, analyze demographic and clinical characteristics of eligible patients, describe outcomes of positive screenings, and describe factors that influenced participation in screenings. Methods: A suicide risk screening protocol was developed and implemented for […]

Despite increasing attention on suicidality in autistic people, we know little about suicidal presentations when autistic individuals present to hospital emergency departments (ED). We conducted an exploratory retrospective chart review of suicidal thoughts and behaviours (STB) of autistic adults who presented to a psychiatric ED. The analysis included 16 charts over a 10-week period. Findings […]

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among US adolescents; data from the Youth Behavior Risk Survey indicates nearly 19% of youth reported seriously considering suicide, and 9% reported a suicide attempt within the past year.  To date, suicide research in adolescents has largely been focused on neurotypical youth. Autistic youth experience elevated risk […]

Background Autism and autistic traits are risk factors for suicidal behaviour. Aims To explore the prevalence of autism (diagnosed and undiagnosed) in those who died by suicide, and identify risk factors for suicide in this group. Method Stage 1: 372 coroners’ inquest records, covering the period 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2017 from two […]