Barriers to Mental Healthcare for Autistic and Non-Autistic Adults: An Investigation of Number, Severity and Type of Barriers Encountered / Robyn C. BALL in Autism, 30-7 (July 2026)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism > 30-7 (July 2026) . - p.1687-1703 Titre : Barriers to Mental Healthcare for Autistic and Non-Autistic Adults: An Investigation of Number, Severity and Type of Barriers Encountered Type de document : texte imprimé Auteurs : Robyn C. BALL, Auteur ; Amanda L. RICHDALE, Auteur ; Lauren P. LAWSON, Auteur ; Eric M.J. MORRIS, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.1687-1703 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : autism  barriers  healthcare  mental healthcare barriers  neurodivergence Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Many autistic people experience poor mental health but often face barriers to accessing appropriate care. This study examined whether autistic adults encounter more or different barriers to mental healthcare compared to non-autistic adults. Participants (non-autistic n = 173; diagnosed autistic n = 173; self-identified autistic n = 158) completed an online survey assessing 29 barriers adapted from the Barriers to Healthcare Checklist, rated by presence and severity. Barriers were categorised as person, provider or system related. Analyses of variance compared groups on the mean number and severity of barriers, and chi-square tests compared group incidence of each barrier. Overall, systemic barriers (e.g. cost) and difficulties with system navigation (e.g. finding services) were the most commonly reported barriers and rated as the most severe. Autistic participants experienced a significantly higher number and severity of barriers than non-autistic participants. Provider-related barriers (practitioners’ knowledge, attitudes and skills) were particularly severe for autistic groups. In contrast, person-level barriers (e.g. sensory sensitivities), though often reported in general healthcare, were less impactful in mental healthcare. Findings suggest that efforts to improve mental healthcare access for autistic people should prioritise addressing the most frequent and severe barriers: system and navigation challenges, and practitioner knowledge and skills in autism.Lay abstract Autistic people often experience poor mental health but face many challenges when trying to access mental healthcare. These challenges can include things like high costs, difficulty finding the right support or healthcare professionals not understanding autism. We looked at whether autistic adults face more or different barriers to mental healthcare compared to non-autistic adults. We surveyed over 500 adults, including those with a formal autism diagnosis, those who self-identified as autistic, and non-autistic adults. The survey asked about 29 possible barriers to getting mental healthcare. These included things related to the person (such as anxiety, sensory sensitivities or difficulty finding services), the healthcare provider (like psychologists’ and psychiatrists’ lack of autism knowledge, or poor communication) and the healthcare system (such as long waiting lists or high cost). We asked whether participants had experienced each barrier and how much each one affected their ability to get help. We found that nearly everyone experienced some barriers, especially challenges with the healthcare system and knowing how to find help, but autistic participants faced more barriers and were more strongly affected by many of them than non-autistic participants. Compared to non-autistic people, autistic people had a lot of problems with providers which prevented them getting the care they needed. We concluded that, to improve access to mental health support for autistic adults, we need to focus on the most common and harmful barriers: making the system easier to use, reducing costs and improving practitioners’ understanding of autism and working with autistic people. By addressing these areas, we can help ensure that autistic people receive the mental healthcare they need. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613261433100 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=590 [article] Barriers to Mental Healthcare for Autistic and Non-Autistic Adults: An Investigation of Number, Severity and Type of Barriers Encountered [texte imprimé] / Robyn C. BALL, Auteur ; Amanda L. RICHDALE, Auteur ; Lauren P. LAWSON, Auteur ; Eric M.J. MORRIS, Auteur . - p.1687-1703. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism > 30-7 (July 2026) . - p.1687-1703 Mots-clés : autism  barriers  healthcare  mental healthcare barriers  neurodivergence Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Many autistic people experience poor mental health but often face barriers to accessing appropriate care. This study examined whether autistic adults encounter more or different barriers to mental healthcare compared to non-autistic adults. Participants (non-autistic n = 173; diagnosed autistic n = 173; self-identified autistic n = 158) completed an online survey assessing 29 barriers adapted from the Barriers to Healthcare Checklist, rated by presence and severity. Barriers were categorised as person, provider or system related. Analyses of variance compared groups on the mean number and severity of barriers, and chi-square tests compared group incidence of each barrier. Overall, systemic barriers (e.g. cost) and difficulties with system navigation (e.g. finding services) were the most commonly reported barriers and rated as the most severe. Autistic participants experienced a significantly higher number and severity of barriers than non-autistic participants. Provider-related barriers (practitioners’ knowledge, attitudes and skills) were particularly severe for autistic groups. In contrast, person-level barriers (e.g. sensory sensitivities), though often reported in general healthcare, were less impactful in mental healthcare. Findings suggest that efforts to improve mental healthcare access for autistic people should prioritise addressing the most frequent and severe barriers: system and navigation challenges, and practitioner knowledge and skills in autism.Lay abstract Autistic people often experience poor mental health but face many challenges when trying to access mental healthcare. These challenges can include things like high costs, difficulty finding the right support or healthcare professionals not understanding autism. We looked at whether autistic adults face more or different barriers to mental healthcare compared to non-autistic adults. We surveyed over 500 adults, including those with a formal autism diagnosis, those who self-identified as autistic, and non-autistic adults. The survey asked about 29 possible barriers to getting mental healthcare. These included things related to the person (such as anxiety, sensory sensitivities or difficulty finding services), the healthcare provider (like psychologists’ and psychiatrists’ lack of autism knowledge, or poor communication) and the healthcare system (such as long waiting lists or high cost). We asked whether participants had experienced each barrier and how much each one affected their ability to get help. We found that nearly everyone experienced some barriers, especially challenges with the healthcare system and knowing how to find help, but autistic participants faced more barriers and were more strongly affected by many of them than non-autistic participants. Compared to non-autistic people, autistic people had a lot of problems with providers which prevented them getting the care they needed. We concluded that, to improve access to mental health support for autistic adults, we need to focus on the most common and harmful barriers: making the system easier to use, reducing costs and improving practitioners’ understanding of autism and working with autistic people. By addressing these areas, we can help ensure that autistic people receive the mental healthcare they need. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613261433100 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=590

Suicidality in Autistic Adolescents and Adults: Sleep the Unexplored Connection? / Amanda L. RICHDALE in Autism Research, 18-3 (March 2025)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism Research > 18-3 (March 2025) . - p.468-475 Titre : Suicidality in Autistic Adolescents and Adults: Sleep the Unexplored Connection? Type de document : texte imprimé Auteurs : Amanda L. RICHDALE, Auteur ; Eric M.J. MORRIS, Auteur ; Lauren P. LAWSON, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.468-475 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : autism  mental health  sleep problems  suicidality  suicide Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : ABSTRACT Despite substantial evidence linking insomnia with increased suicidality in non-autistic populations, its role in autism remains under-explored. Poor sleep, most commonly insomnia symptoms (hereafter insomnia), is a significant issue in autism, affecting up to 80% of autistic children and adults, compared with 30% 50% of children and about 45% of adults in the general population. Sleep, along with quality of life, anxiety, depression, and social well-being, is a top mental health research priority for autistic adults. These factors are all significantly associated with insomnia in both autistic and non-autistic individuals. Current findings highlight the association between depression, psychosocial factors, and suicidality in autistic individuals. Key factors in suicidality for autistic people include increased autistic traits, loneliness, lack of social support, and experiences such as camouflaging and burnout. What is under-explored is the role of sleep in suicidality and mental health in autism. Effective psychological interventions for insomnia in autistic individuals are lacking, and there is limited understanding of whether treating insomnia can reduce suicidality. Only two pilot studies have investigated insomnia treatments for autistic adults. In this commentary, we argue that, given the high rate of suicidality in autism and the potential role of insomnia, it is crucial to investigate whether insomnia contributes to suicidality in autistic people and if addressing sleep through prevention strategies, supports, and interventions improves outcomes. Collaboration with the autistic community is essential for addressing this knowledge gap and developing effective interventions. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.3306 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=550 [article] Suicidality in Autistic Adolescents and Adults: Sleep the Unexplored Connection? [texte imprimé] / Amanda L. RICHDALE, Auteur ; Eric M.J. MORRIS, Auteur ; Lauren P. LAWSON, Auteur . - p.468-475. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism Research > 18-3 (March 2025) . - p.468-475 Mots-clés : autism  mental health  sleep problems  suicidality  suicide Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : ABSTRACT Despite substantial evidence linking insomnia with increased suicidality in non-autistic populations, its role in autism remains under-explored. Poor sleep, most commonly insomnia symptoms (hereafter insomnia), is a significant issue in autism, affecting up to 80% of autistic children and adults, compared with 30% 50% of children and about 45% of adults in the general population. Sleep, along with quality of life, anxiety, depression, and social well-being, is a top mental health research priority for autistic adults. These factors are all significantly associated with insomnia in both autistic and non-autistic individuals. Current findings highlight the association between depression, psychosocial factors, and suicidality in autistic individuals. Key factors in suicidality for autistic people include increased autistic traits, loneliness, lack of social support, and experiences such as camouflaging and burnout. What is under-explored is the role of sleep in suicidality and mental health in autism. Effective psychological interventions for insomnia in autistic individuals are lacking, and there is limited understanding of whether treating insomnia can reduce suicidality. Only two pilot studies have investigated insomnia treatments for autistic adults. In this commentary, we argue that, given the high rate of suicidality in autism and the potential role of insomnia, it is crucial to investigate whether insomnia contributes to suicidality in autistic people and if addressing sleep through prevention strategies, supports, and interventions improves outcomes. Collaboration with the autistic community is essential for addressing this knowledge gap and developing effective interventions. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.3306 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=550

The impact of sleep quality, fatigue and social well-being on depressive symptomatology in autistic older adolescents and young adults / Amanda L. RICHDALE in Autism Research, 16-4 (April 2023)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism Research > 16-4 (April 2023) . - p.817-830 Titre : The impact of sleep quality, fatigue and social well-being on depressive symptomatology in autistic older adolescents and young adults Type de document : texte imprimé Auteurs : Amanda L. RICHDALE, Auteur ; Lacey CHETCUTI, Auteur ; Susan M. HAYWARD, Auteur ; Ifrah ABDULLAHI, Auteur ; Eric M.J. MORRIS, Auteur ; Lauren P. LAWSON, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.817-830 Langues : Anglais (eng) Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Abstract Depression and poor sleep quality commonly co-occur with autism, and depression has been associated with loneliness and reduced social support. In non-autistic samples, poor sleep quality and daytime fatigue also contribute to depression. However, the contribution of sleep quality and fatigue to depressive symptoms, and how they interact with social factors to influence depression in autism remain unexplored. Our aim was to examine these relationships in 114 young autistic adults aged 15-25 years (57% male) from the SASLA online, longitudinal study (baseline and 2-year follow-up). Hierarchical multiple regression models examined the association between social well-being (social integration and social contribution; T1), sleep quality (T1, T2), and fatigue (T1, T2) on depression (T1, T2). Two mediation models were conducted on T1 data predicting depression from sleep quality though fatigue and sleep quality through social well-being. Depression and fatigue scores did not change over 2 years, but sleep quality worsened. The T1 regression model was significant (R2 = 36%) with fatigue and social contribution individually predicting depression symptomatology. The longitudinal regression model was also significant (adjusted R2 = 57%) with social contribution (T1) as the only significant predictor of depression (T2). Fatigue trended towards mediating the sleep quality-depression relationship, while social well-being was a significant partial mediator of this relationship. Results highlight that sleep quality, fatigue, and social well-being contribute to depression among young autistic adults. Interestingly, fatigue and social well-being were independently associated with depression. Thus, addressing sleep quality and associated fatigue, and social well-being is important when treating depression in autistic individuals. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2899 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=499 [article] The impact of sleep quality, fatigue and social well-being on depressive symptomatology in autistic older adolescents and young adults [texte imprimé] / Amanda L. RICHDALE, Auteur ; Lacey CHETCUTI, Auteur ; Susan M. HAYWARD, Auteur ; Ifrah ABDULLAHI, Auteur ; Eric M.J. MORRIS, Auteur ; Lauren P. LAWSON, Auteur . - p.817-830. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism Research > 16-4 (April 2023) . - p.817-830 Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Abstract Depression and poor sleep quality commonly co-occur with autism, and depression has been associated with loneliness and reduced social support. In non-autistic samples, poor sleep quality and daytime fatigue also contribute to depression. However, the contribution of sleep quality and fatigue to depressive symptoms, and how they interact with social factors to influence depression in autism remain unexplored. Our aim was to examine these relationships in 114 young autistic adults aged 15-25 years (57% male) from the SASLA online, longitudinal study (baseline and 2-year follow-up). Hierarchical multiple regression models examined the association between social well-being (social integration and social contribution; T1), sleep quality (T1, T2), and fatigue (T1, T2) on depression (T1, T2). Two mediation models were conducted on T1 data predicting depression from sleep quality though fatigue and sleep quality through social well-being. Depression and fatigue scores did not change over 2 years, but sleep quality worsened. The T1 regression model was significant (R2 = 36%) with fatigue and social contribution individually predicting depression symptomatology. The longitudinal regression model was also significant (adjusted R2 = 57%) with social contribution (T1) as the only significant predictor of depression (T2). Fatigue trended towards mediating the sleep quality-depression relationship, while social well-being was a significant partial mediator of this relationship. Results highlight that sleep quality, fatigue, and social well-being contribute to depression among young autistic adults. Interestingly, fatigue and social well-being were independently associated with depression. Thus, addressing sleep quality and associated fatigue, and social well-being is important when treating depression in autistic individuals. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2899 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=499

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