Exploring Biases in Autism Diagnostic Pathways / Ryan WOOLHOUSE in Autism Research, 19-6 (June 2026)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism Research > 19-6 (June 2026) . - p.e70252 Titre : Exploring Biases in Autism Diagnostic Pathways Type de document : texte imprimé Auteurs : Ryan WOOLHOUSE, Auteur ; Sarah L. NICHOLSON, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.e70252 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : ASC  ASD  assessment  autism spectrum disorders  inequality  neurodevelopmental conditions  neurodiversity  screening Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : ABSTRACT Assessments for autism spectrum disorder are time-consuming and expensive, and demand has increased over recent decades. Despite improved diagnostic criteria and awareness of autism, there still appear to be disparities in diagnostic rates of autism across age, gender, and ethnicity. Research investigating biases in referrals to, and assessments conducted by, autism diagnostic services is limited, especially in adults, making it difficult to understand these disparities. This clinical service evaluation collected data on demographic characteristics of clients referred and accepted for autism assessments (N?=?350) and fully assessed for autism (N?=?269) by a London-based adult autism team. Demographic characteristics of clients referred to the service were compared to population prevalences using Census data to investigate potential biases in referring clinicians. Demographic characteristics of clients who received diagnoses of autism were compared to the service's average diagnostic rate to investigate potential biases in assessing clinicians. Participants referred and accepted for autism assessments were significantly more likely to be male, aged 18?34, and from White or ?Other? ethnic backgrounds compared to local population prevalences. Of clients assessed, there were no significant differences in diagnostic rates of autism among demographic groups compared to the service's average diagnostic rate. Clinicians conducting autism assessments appeared to show no diagnostic bias. However, findings suggest there are still disparities in gender, ethnicity, and age of adults who were referred and accepted for autism assessments. Further research is needed to investigate causes of this access disparity to ensure people can access appropriate services and support. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.70252 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=589 [article] Exploring Biases in Autism Diagnostic Pathways [texte imprimé] / Ryan WOOLHOUSE, Auteur ; Sarah L. NICHOLSON, Auteur . - p.e70252. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism Research > 19-6 (June 2026) . - p.e70252 Mots-clés : ASC  ASD  assessment  autism spectrum disorders  inequality  neurodevelopmental conditions  neurodiversity  screening Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : ABSTRACT Assessments for autism spectrum disorder are time-consuming and expensive, and demand has increased over recent decades. Despite improved diagnostic criteria and awareness of autism, there still appear to be disparities in diagnostic rates of autism across age, gender, and ethnicity. Research investigating biases in referrals to, and assessments conducted by, autism diagnostic services is limited, especially in adults, making it difficult to understand these disparities. This clinical service evaluation collected data on demographic characteristics of clients referred and accepted for autism assessments (N?=?350) and fully assessed for autism (N?=?269) by a London-based adult autism team. Demographic characteristics of clients referred to the service were compared to population prevalences using Census data to investigate potential biases in referring clinicians. Demographic characteristics of clients who received diagnoses of autism were compared to the service's average diagnostic rate to investigate potential biases in assessing clinicians. Participants referred and accepted for autism assessments were significantly more likely to be male, aged 18?34, and from White or ?Other? ethnic backgrounds compared to local population prevalences. Of clients assessed, there were no significant differences in diagnostic rates of autism among demographic groups compared to the service's average diagnostic rate. Clinicians conducting autism assessments appeared to show no diagnostic bias. However, findings suggest there are still disparities in gender, ethnicity, and age of adults who were referred and accepted for autism assessments. Further research is needed to investigate causes of this access disparity to ensure people can access appropriate services and support. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.70252 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=589

Virtual reality relaxation for autistic adults on acute inpatient mental health wards: A pilot study / Sarah L. NICHOLSON in Research in Autism, 138 (October 2026)  

Public ISBD [article]  inResearch in Autism > 138 (October 2026) . - p.203007 Titre : Virtual reality relaxation for autistic adults on acute inpatient mental health wards: A pilot study Type de document : texte imprimé Auteurs : Sarah L. NICHOLSON, Auteur ; Siobhan SINCLAIR-STRONG, Auteur ; Rachel MCGRANAHAN, Auteur ; Paige FRANKSON, Auteur ; Louie COCHRANE, Auteur ; Simon RICHES, Auteur ; Freya RUMBALL, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.203007 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : Virtual reality  Nature-based therapy  Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)  Acute mental health  Inpatient care  Stress reduction  Pilot study [1−7] Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Virtual reality (VR) has potential as a relaxation intervention on acute inpatient mental health wards. VR may have additional advantages for autistic individuals who can sometimes experience difficulties with visualisation, which is required in many traditional relaxation techniques. This study aimed to investigate feasibility and acceptability of VR relaxation for autistic adults on acute inpatient mental health wards. Autistic inpatients (N = 14) were recruited from acute mental health wards in South London. Clients experienced one session of nature-based VR relaxation using a VR headset. Visual analogue scales of psychological wellbeing and ability to imagine a relaxing scene were completed pre- and post-VR, and measures of helpfulness and immersion were completed post-VR. Qualitative feedback was collected regarding clients’ experiences of VR relaxation, and clinicians’ reflections on facilitating sessions. Post-VR, clients reported significant decreases in stress, anxiety, and difficulty imagining a relaxing scene, and significant increases in relaxation, happiness, and connectedness to nature (all large effects). Qualitative findings suggested that clients found VR relaxation enjoyable, relaxing, helpful, and immersive, and it distracted them from being on the ward. However, some clients declined the intervention due to sensory sensitivities. Clinicians’ experiences of delivering VR relaxation were generally positive, but they identified some challenges to delivery and recommendations for future implementation. Findings suggest VR relaxation is feasible and acceptable to implement as an intervention for autistic inpatients on acute mental health wards and may be a helpful way to manage stress and promote relaxation. Future research with larger samples and longer-term follow-ups is needed. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reia.2026.203007 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=594 [article] Virtual reality relaxation for autistic adults on acute inpatient mental health wards: A pilot study [texte imprimé] / Sarah L. NICHOLSON, Auteur ; Siobhan SINCLAIR-STRONG, Auteur ; Rachel MCGRANAHAN, Auteur ; Paige FRANKSON, Auteur ; Louie COCHRANE, Auteur ; Simon RICHES, Auteur ; Freya RUMBALL, Auteur . - p.203007. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Research in Autism > 138 (October 2026) . - p.203007 Mots-clés : Virtual reality  Nature-based therapy  Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)  Acute mental health  Inpatient care  Stress reduction  Pilot study [1−7] Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Virtual reality (VR) has potential as a relaxation intervention on acute inpatient mental health wards. VR may have additional advantages for autistic individuals who can sometimes experience difficulties with visualisation, which is required in many traditional relaxation techniques. This study aimed to investigate feasibility and acceptability of VR relaxation for autistic adults on acute inpatient mental health wards. Autistic inpatients (N = 14) were recruited from acute mental health wards in South London. Clients experienced one session of nature-based VR relaxation using a VR headset. Visual analogue scales of psychological wellbeing and ability to imagine a relaxing scene were completed pre- and post-VR, and measures of helpfulness and immersion were completed post-VR. Qualitative feedback was collected regarding clients’ experiences of VR relaxation, and clinicians’ reflections on facilitating sessions. Post-VR, clients reported significant decreases in stress, anxiety, and difficulty imagining a relaxing scene, and significant increases in relaxation, happiness, and connectedness to nature (all large effects). Qualitative findings suggested that clients found VR relaxation enjoyable, relaxing, helpful, and immersive, and it distracted them from being on the ward. However, some clients declined the intervention due to sensory sensitivities. Clinicians’ experiences of delivering VR relaxation were generally positive, but they identified some challenges to delivery and recommendations for future implementation. Findings suggest VR relaxation is feasible and acceptable to implement as an intervention for autistic inpatients on acute mental health wards and may be a helpful way to manage stress and promote relaxation. Future research with larger samples and longer-term follow-ups is needed. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reia.2026.203007 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=594

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