Autistic Adults Mental Health – The Silent Epidemic
It is estimated approximately 70% of autistic adults experience some form of anxiety at some point in life. In a study conducted in 2019 by Hollocks, M. et al., Psychological Medicine, a great deal of stress results from navigating a world not built for autistic people. There has been an increased awareness of the need for mental health support within the general population in recent years. Autistic adults are finding it very difficult to receive mental health supportive measures https://www.facebook.com/adultautismexpert that are designed to meet their unique needs. Moreover, the current system is fraught with problems ranging from gaps in referrals to having enough clinicians who have been trained to work with autistic clients.
The study referenced above suggests autistic adults are also four times more likely to experience depression than their neurotypical peers. Some of the challenges presented when working with autistic mental health clients are communication barriers, differences in interpreting information, establishing trust, and navigating client consent forms and permission. Matters are further complicated in cases involving a legal guardian or third party https://twitter.com/Gwriter3 appointed to oversee the client’s social and financial affairs. Clients with autism experience various forms of anxiety including general anxiety, panic disorders, social disorders, and phobia-related disorders. These are broad categories but are indicative of the wide range of issues that can arise in a therapeutic environment. All of these concerns are valid and the complex nature of having clients with sensory challenges means clinicians must improve their skill level to meet the growing demand.
Having a space in which the client feels safe and free from judgment is paramount. Importantly autism is a core part of who the person is, therefore having the freedom to self-regulate feelings and emotions is extremely vital to the process. Autism must be expressed in a way that is both familiar and beneficial to the client. Having augmentative and alternative means of communicating with clients experiencing speech or hearing impairments may be necessary to provide quality inclusive service. Participating in therapy sessions can be anxiety provoking, and taking measures to mitigate the stress involved for autistic adults is a win-win proposition.