Mental health challenges faced by autistic people.

Mental health challenges impede the well-being of autistic people. This Review outlines contributing neurodevelopmental and physical health conditions, rates and developmental trajectories of mental health challenges experienced by autistic people, as well as unique clinical presentations. A framework is proposed to consider four contributing themes to aid personalized formulation: social-contextual determinants, adverse life experiences, autistic cognitive features, and shared genetic and early environmental predispositions. Current evidence-based and clinical-knowledge-informed intervention guidance and ongoing development of support are highlighted for specific mental health areas. Tailored mental health support for autistic people should be neurodivergence-informed, which is fundamentally humanistic and compatible with the prevailing bio-psycho-social frameworks. The personalized formulation should be holistic, considering physical health and transdiagnostic neurodevelopmental factors, intellectual and communication abilities, and contextual-experiential determinants and their interplay with autistic cognition and biology, alongside resilience. Supporting family well-being is integral. Mutual empathic understanding is fundamental to creating societies in which people across neurotypes are all empowered to thrive.

The Relationship Between Augmentative and Alternative Communication Use by Pediatric Psychiatric Inpatients With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Interfering Behaviors.

PURPOSE: Previous research conducted by Williams et al. (2018) using data from the Autism Inpatient Collection (AIC) found a weak and inconsistent association between verbal ability and the severity of interfering behaviors; however, adapting/coping scores were significantly associated with self-injury, stereotypy, and irritability (including aggression and tantrums). The previous study did not account for access to or use of alternative forms of communication in their sample population. This study uses retrospective data to investigate the association between verbal ability and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) use and the presence of interfering behaviors in individuals with autism who have complex behavioral profiles. METHOD: The sample included 260 autistic inpatients, ages 4-20 years, from six psychiatric facilities, enrolled during the second phase of the AIC when detailed information about AAC use was collected. Measures included AAC use, method, and function; comprehension and production of language; receptive vocabulary; nonverbal IQ; severity of interfering behaviors; and the presence and severity of repetitive behaviors. RESULTS: Lower language/communication abilities were related to increased repetitive behaviors and stereotypies. More specifically, these interfering behaviors appeared to be related to communication in those individuals who were candidates for AAC but who were not reported to have access to it. Although the use of AAC did not predict a decrease in interfering behaviors, receptive vocabulary scores-as measured by the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Fourth Edition-were positively correlated with the presence of interfering behaviors in participants with the most complex communication needs. CONCLUSIONS: The communication needs of some individuals with autism may be unmet, prompting the use of interfering behaviors as a form of communication. Further investigation of the functions of interfering behaviors and the related functions of communication skills may provide greater support for an increased focus on the provision of AAC to prevent and ameliorate interfering behaviors in individuals with autism.

Health conditions in autism: Defining the trajectory from adolescence to early adulthood.

Autistic adults, as compared to non-autistic adults, have increased rates of nearly all medical and psychiatric conditions. Many of these conditions begin in childhood, although few longitudinal studies have been conducted to examine prevalence rates of these conditions from adolescence into early adulthood. In this study, we analyze the longitudinal trajectory of health conditions in autistic youth, compared to age and sex-matched non-autistic youth, transitioning from adolescence into early adulthood in a large integrated health care delivery system. The percent and modeled prevalence of common medical and psychiatric conditions increased from age 14 to 22 years, with autistic youth having a higher prevalence of most conditions than non-autistic youth. The most prevalent conditions in autistic youth at all ages were obesity, neurological disorders, anxiety, and ADHD. The prevalence of obesity and dyslipidemia rose at a faster rate in autistic youth compared to non-autistic youth. By age 22, autistic females showed a higher prevalence of all medical and psychiatric conditions compared to autistic males. Our findings emphasize the importance of screening for medical and psychiatric conditions in autistic youth, coupled with health education targeted at this population, to mitigate the development of adverse health outcomes in autistic adults.

Acceptance and commitment therapy for autistic adults: A randomized controlled pilot study in a psychiatric outpatient setting.

LAY ABSTRACT: Autistic adults are often stressed and feel depressed or anxious. However, mental health programs that are suited for autistic adults are few. Acceptance and commitment therapy is a psychotherapy method that seems to help people feel better, although not thoroughly evaluated in autistic individuals. In this study, 20 autistic adults had 14 weeks of acceptance and commitment therapy group treatment suited for autism (NeuroACT), while 19 autistic adults had ordinary care. The acceptance and commitment therapy group treatment program seemed logical and reasonable to the participants. Also, when comparing the participants in the NeuroACT group with those in the ordinary care group, the NeuroACT participants reported less stress and higher quality of life. Compared to the ordinary care group, they could also manage distressing thoughts better, perceived themselves as more flexible, and did not avoid stressful situations as much as before. However, there was no significant difference between the groups in depression, anxiety, sleep problems, social aspects of autism, everyday functioning, or executive challenges. Slightly more NeuroACT participants did not finish the treatment than ordinary care participants. In conclusion, the NeuroACT program may be a treatment for autistic adults who feel stressed and have reduced quality of life. More studies are needed to see how helpful the NeuroACT program is for autistic adults.

Calm with horses? A systematic review of animal-assisted interventions for improving social functioning in children with autism.

LAY ABSTRACT: Children with autism typically experience difficulties interacting socially with others when compared to their non-autistic peers. Establishing how effective interventions are for improving social functioning is important to help inform what should be offered to children with autism. This study reviewed how effective interventions that involved interaction with a live animal, known as animal-assisted interventions, are in improving social functioning in children with autism. A systematic search of the evidence on this topic found nine studies, which were explored for the effectiveness of animal-assisted interventions and the quality of methods used. Overall, these studies showed improvements in social functioning following equine-assisted or therapeutic horse-riding interventions, with initial evidence showing improvements are sustained in the short and medium term. However, several issues were identified, which limit the strength of any conclusions that can be drawn from this evidence. For example, in many studies people assessing the children were aware that they received the intervention or were in a control group. There was also not enough evidence available to draw conclusions on the effectiveness of other animal-assisted interventions. Future research should address the limitations that were common in the designs of these studies and investigate the potential benefit of other animal populations, such as dogs and cats.

A conceptual model of risk and protective factors for autistic burnout.

Early qualitative research indicates that autistic burnout is commonly experienced by autistic people and is associated with significant, negative consequences for their mental health, wellbeing, and quality of life, including suicidality. Findings to date suggest that factors associated with being autistic and the widespread lack of autism awareness and acceptance within society contribute to the onset and recurrence of autistic burnout. Based on autistic adults' descriptions of their lived experiences, a Conceptual Model of Autistic Burnout (CMAB) is proposed, which describes a series of hypothesized relationships between identified risk and protective factors that may contribute to, or buffer against, autistic burnout. The theoretical framework for the CMAB is based on the Social-Relational model of disability and neurodiversity paradigm, and the Job Demands-Resources model of burnout, and Conservation of Resources theory. The CMAB offers a holistic perspective for understanding individual, social, and environmental factors that can influence autistic burnout via various direct and indirect pathways. Autistic burnout research is in its infancy and the CMAB provides a foundation for future investigations about this condition. LAY SUMMARY: Although many autistic people describe experiencing autistic burnout, there has been little research on this topic. Based on descriptions of autistic peoples' lived experiences, we developed a conceptual model to explore how various risk and protective factors may interact to contribute to, or prevent, autistic burnout.

"We Have to Try to Find a Way, a Clinical Bridge" - autistic adults' experience of accessing and receiving support for mental health difficulties: A systematic review and thematic meta-synthesis.

Co-occurring mental health difficulties among autistic adults are common and this association has implications for mental health services. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of autistic adults' experiences of accessing and receiving mental health support is a critical step to fully inform service provision. We conducted a systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies exploring autistic adults' mental health service experiences, triangulating the perspectives of autistic adults, clinicians and parents. Electronic database searches in MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Embase were conducted up to October 2021. This identified 10,068 studies, of which 38 met study inclusion criteria. Using a thematic synthesis approach, we generated three superordinate analytical themes "Lonely, difficult service experience", "Complexity needs flexibility" and "Collaboration and empowerment", each with several subthemes. Our findings show that currently, mental health services do not adequately support autistic adults, and can even cause additional harm. There is a need for a more flexible, comprehensive and holistic approach, considering how being autistic affects the individual's mental health presentation and tailoring support to their needs. Building trusting relationships, listening to autistic adults, and empowering them to take agency, appear to be fundamental steps towards more successful mental health care provision.

Joint engagement and movement: Active ingredients of a music-based intervention with school-age children with autism.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of music-based interventions (MI) in autism has been attested for decades. Yet, there has been little empirical investigation of the active ingredients, or processes involved in music-based interventions that differentiate them from other approaches. OBJECTIVES: Here, we examined whether two processes, joint engagement and movement, which have previously been studied in isolation, contribute as important active ingredients for the efficacy of music-based interventions. METHODS: In two separate analyses, we investigated whether (1) joint engagement with the therapist, measured using a coding scheme verified for reliability, and (2) movement elicited by music-making, measured using a computer-vision technique for quantifying motion, may drive the benefits previously observed in response to MI (but not a controlled non-MI) in children with autism. RESULTS: Compared to a non-music control intervention, children and the therapist in MI spent more time in triadic engagement (between child, therapist, and activity) and produced greater movement, with amplitude of motion closely linked to the type of musical instrument. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these findings provide initial evidence of the active ingredients of music-based interventions in autism.

O uso de robôs como mediadores na prática clínica psicanalítica com crianças autistas / El uso de robots como mediadores en la práctica clínica psicoanalítica con niños autistas / The use of robots as mediators in psychoanalytical clinical practice with autistic children / L'utilisation de robots comme mediateurs dans la pratique clinique psychanalytique avec enfants autistes

Esta proposta, a partir da clínica psicanalítica, demonstra como o uso do robô, enquanto objeto tecnológico, poderá permitir à criança autista, no tratamento, maior interação e laço com o Outro. Faz-se uma aposta de que as intervenções mediadas pelo robô podem proporcionar um semblante das operações constitutivas do sujeito que não se realizaram. Considerando que os componentes da borda autística possibilitam ao sujeito enlaçar-se no meio social, destacam-se as possibilidades de "alargamento" dessa borda autística a partir de intervenções qualificadas como objeto. Assim, o uso do robô nas sessões torna as intervenções menos invasivas à criança, permitindo certa regulação pulsional, favorecendo um caminho privilegiado de comunicação e intervenção, e produzindo maior interação social

Nuestra propuesta en este artículo es demostrar, desde la clínica psicoanalítica, cómo el uso del robot, como objeto tecnológico, puede permitir al niño autista, en el tratamiento, una mayor interacción y lazo con el Otro. Apostamos a que las intervenciones mediadas por el robot pueden proporcionar un semblante de las operaciones constitutivas del sujeto que no se hicieron realidad.Considerando que los componentes del borde autístico le permiten al sujeto vincularse en el entorno social, se destacan las posibilidades de «dilatar¼ este borde autístico desde intervenciones calificadas con objeto. Así, el uso del robot en las sesiones hace con que las intervenciones sean menos invasivas para el niño, permitiendo una cierta regulación pulsional, favoreciendo un camino privilegiado de comunicación e intervención, produciendo una mayor interacción social

Our proposal, from the psychoanalytic clinic, is to demonstrate how the use of the robot, as a technological object, may allow the autistic child, in the treatment, greater interaction and bond with the Other. We place a bet that interventions mediated by the robot can provide a semblance of the subject's constitutive operations that have not taken place. Considering that the components of the autistic border allow the subject to bond in the social environment, the possibilities of 'widening' this autistic border are highlighted from qualified interventions with object. Thus, the use of the robot in the sessions makes the interventions less invasive to the child, allowing a certain drive regulation, favoring a privileged path of communication and intervention, producing greater social interaction

Notre proposition, à partir de la clinique psychanalytique, c'est de démontrer comme l'utilisation du robot, en tant qu'objet technologique, pourra permettre à l'enfant autiste, dans le traitement, des plus grands interaction et lien avec l'Autre. On parie que les interventions facilitées par le robot peuvent promouvoir un semblant des opérations constitutives du sujet qui n'ont pas été réalisées. En considérant que les composants de la borde autistique permettent au sujet de se lier au milieu social, on distingue les possibilités d''élargissement' de cette borde autistique à partir des interventions qualifiées avec objet. Ainsi, l'utilisation du robot dans les sessions rendent les interventions moins invasives pour l'enfant, en permettant une certaine régulation pulsionnelle qui favorise un chemin privilégié de communication et intervention, en ayant comme résultat une plus grande interaction sociale

A função constitutiva da voz e o poder da música no tratamento do autismo / La función constitutiva de la voz y el poder de la música en el tratamiento del autismo / The constitutive function of voice and the power of music in the treatment of autism

RESUMO. O artigo parte de uma experiência de pesquisa sobre o tratamento psicanalítico em grupo de crianças autistas, para refletir acerca da presença de mais de um analista no setting. A interação entre os analistas favorece uma abordagem não diretiva, permitindo à criança que ela se aproxime espontaneamente, sem ser forçada a um contato que pode ser sentido como extremamente angustiante pelo autista. Ademais, constatam-se os efeitos da voz como suporte para os próprios interventores, que dialogam, brincam e cantam entre eles, suscitando uma animação libidinal capaz de mobilizar a criança autista. A música que circula nas brincadeiras de roda veicula tanto aspectos simbólicos da cultura quanto o real do gozo de alíngua. Em um caso particular, a prosódia do canto mostrou-se uma forma imaginária específica de tratar a dimensão real da voz que invade o sujeito autista. Servindo-se de canções populares como objetos de mediação, foi possível orientar o tratamento a partir de uma solução que veio do próprio sujeito, que, antecipado neste ato, pode ouvir a invocação para advir. Evidencia-se assim, também no autismo, o papel do objeto pulsional voz para a constituição subjetiva.

RESUMEN. El artículo parte de una experiencia de investigación sobre el tratamiento psicoanalítico en grupo de niños autistas, para pensar se a propósito de la presencia de más de un analista en el setting. La interacción entre analistas favorece un abordaje no directivo, permitiendo que el niño se acerque espontáneamente, sin ser forzado a un contacto que puede ser extremadamente angustiante para el autista. Además, se constatan los efectos de la voz como soporte para los propios interventores, que dialogan, juegan y cantan entre sí, evocando una animación liminal capaz de movilizar el niño autista. La música que circula en las cirandas transmite tanto los aspectos simbólicos de la cultura cuanto el real del goce de la lengua. En un caso particular, la prosodia del canto se ha mostrado una forma imaginaria específica de tratar la dimensión real de la voz que invade el sujeto autista. Haciendo uso de canciones populares como objetos de mediación, fue posible guiar el tratamiento a partir de una solución proveniente del propio sujeto, que, anticipado en este acto, puede escuchar la invocación para venir a ser. Se evidencia así, también en el autismo, el papel del objeto pulsional voz para la constitución subjetiva.

ABSTRACT. Based on a research experience regarding the psychoanalytical group treatment of autistic children, the article reflects on the presence of more than one analyst in the setting. The interaction between analysts favors a non-directive approach, enabling the child to take action spontaneously, without being forced to a contact that can be extremely unsettling for the autist. Furthermore, one observes the effects of voice as a support for the caretakers, who talk, play and sing with each other, eliciting a libidinal excitement able to involve the autistic child. The music that reverberates through the circle games transmits both the symbolic aspects of culture and the real of la langue's jouissance. In a particular case, the singing prosody revealed itself to be a specific imaginary way to treat the real of voice which invades the autistic subject. Using folk songs as mediation objects, it was possible to conceive a treatment direction that took into account a solution that sprung from the subject, who, anticipated in this act, can hear the invocation to arise. Thus, one evidences, also in autism, the role of voice as pulsional object in the subjective constitution.

[Appreciating COVID-19 as a child and adolescent psychiatrist on the move]. / Appréhender le COVID-19 au fil de l'eau en tant que psychiatre d'enfant et d'adolescent.

COVID-19 is a multi-organ disease due to an infection with the SARS-CoV2 virus. It has become a pandemic in early 2020. The disease appears less devastating in children and adolescents. However, stress, quarantine and eventually mourning have major impacts on development. It is difficult to describe what this pandemic implies for a child psychiatrist, other than by giving a first-hand account. I propose to go through the main ethical questions that have arisen; to describe how my hospital team has reorganized itself to meet the new demands and questions, in particular by opening a unit dedicated to people with autism and challenging behaviors affected by COVID-19; and to address, in a context of national discussion, how the discipline has sought to understand the conditions of a certain well-being during quarantine. Finally, I will try to conclude with more speculative reflections on re-opening.

Attunement in Music Therapy for Young Children with Autism: Revisiting Qualities of Relationship as Mechanisms of Change.

This study examined whether musical and emotional attunement predicts changes in improvisational music therapy with children with autism (4-7 years, N = 101, majority: no/limited speech, low IQ), assessed over 12 months. Attunement, as observed from session videos, and changes in generalized social skills, judged by blinded assessors and parents, were evaluated using standardized tools (Assessment of the Quality of Relationship, Improvisational Music Therapy Principles, ADOS, SRS). In contrast to the smaller pilot, we did not find significant effects between attunement and changes in outcomes, only tendencies in the same direction are observed. Findings suggest that symptom severity is associated with the therapist's ability to attune to the child. They further raise questions concerning outcome selection and user involvement.

Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation in Early Life Changes Synaptic Plasticity and Improves Symptoms in a Valproic Acid-Induced Rat Model of Autism.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder characterized by social behavior deficit in childhood without satisfactory medical intervention. Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) is a noninvasive technique derived from acupuncture and has been shown to have similar therapeutic effects in many diseases. Valproic acid- (VPA-) induced ASD is a known model of ASD in rats. The therapeutic efficacy of TEAS was evaluated in the VPA model of ASD in the present study. The offspring of a VPA-treated rat received TEAS in the early life stage followed by a series of examinations conducted in their adolescence. The results show that following TEAS treatment in early life, the social and cognitive ability in adolescence of the offspring of a VPA rat were significantly improved. In addition, the abnormal pain threshold was significantly corrected. Additional studies demonstrated that the dendritic spine density of the primary sensory cortex was decreased with Golgi staining. Results of the transcriptomic study showed that expression of some transcription factors such as the neurotrophic factor were downregulated in the hypothalamus of the VPA model of ASD. The reduced gene expression was reversed following TEAS. These results suggest that TEAS in the early life stage may mitigate disorders of social and recognition ability and normalize the pain threshold of the ASD rat model. The mechanism involved may be related to improvement of synaptic plasticity.

Everything has Its Time: Narrow Temporal Windows are Associated with High Levels of Autistic Traits Via Weaknesses in Multisensory Integration.

The present study examined whether fundamental sensory functions such as temporal processing and multisensory integration are related to autistic traits in the general population. Both a narrower temporal window (TW) for simultaneous perception, as measured by a temporal order judgement task, and a reduced ability to engage in multisensory integration during the sound-induced flash illusion task were related to higher levels of autistic traits. Additionally, a narrow TW is associated with high levels of autistic traits due to a deficiency in multisensory integration. Taken together, these findings suggest that alterations in fundamental functions produce a cascading effect on higher-order social and cognitive functions, such as those experienced by people with autism spectrum disorder.

Autistic traits in mentalization-based treatment for concurrent borderline personality disorder and substance use disorder: Secondary analyses of a randomized controlled feasibility study.

Autism is suggested to be a dimensional construct and often represents a comorbid state. However, research on the clinical implications of the presence of autistic traits is scarce. This study aimed to investigate the impact of subclinical autistic traits in mentalization-based treatment (MBT) for concurrent borderline personality disorder (BPD) and substance use disorder (SUD). Based on the data of a randomized controlled feasibility study by Philips, Wennberg, Konradsson, and Franck (2018), secondary analyses were conducted. It was tested, if patients' (N = 46) levels of autistic traits were associated with treatment outcome measured in the course of and after treatment using interviews and self-report measures. Participants' autistic traits were not associated with the change in the severity of BPD throughout and at the end of the treatment. However, results showed associations between autistic traits and the change in patients' consumption of alcohol in the course of MBT. Furthermore, there was an association between autistic traits and the change in mentalizing capacity at the end of MBT, indicating that elevated autistic traits were associated with an improvement in mentalizing capacity. Autistic traits on a subclinical level do not appear to be a complicating factor in MBT for concurrent BPD and SUD. On the contrary, in terms of mentalizing capacity autistic traits might be associated with a larger potential for improvement or facilitate treatment outcome. Further research is needed to explore the role of higher autistic traits in treatment of this special patient group.

Assessing the Impact of Music Therapy on Sensory Gating and Attention in Children With Autism: A Pilot and Feasibility Study.

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently demonstrate atypical processing of sensory information and deficits in attentional abilities. These deficits may impact social and academic functioning. Although music therapy has been used to address sensory and attentional needs, there are no studies including physiologic indicators of sensory processing to determine the impact of music therapy. The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of conducting study protocols, determine the adequacy of electroencephalography (EEG) and behavioral measures in identifying attentional differences in children with ASD compared with typically developing (TD) children, and to gather preliminary evidence of intervention effects on brain responses and attention outcomes. Seven children with high functioning ASD ages 5 -12 and seven age- and gender-matched TD completed procedures measuring brain responses (EEG) and behaviors (the Test of Everyday Attention for Children). Children with ASD then completed a 35-min individual music therapy attention protocol delivered by a board-certified music therapist ten times over 5 weeks. Children with ASD completed measures of brain responses and behavior post-intervention to determine pre- to post-test differences. Consent and completion rates were 100% for children who met the study criteria. Feasibility measures indicated that measures of brain responsivity could be used to determine attentional differences between children with ASD and typical children. Initial outcome data for brain responses and behavior indicated positive trends for the impact of music therapy on selective attention skills.

Spirituality, dimensional autism, and schizotypal traits: The search for meaning.

The relationships of spirituality with human social cognition, as exemplified in autism spectrum and schizophrenia spectrum cognitive variation, remain largely unstudied. We quantified non-clinical levels of autism spectrum and schizotypal spectrum traits (using the Autism Quotient and the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire-Brief Revised) and dimensions of spirituality (using the Hardt Spirituality Questionnaire) in a large sample of undergraduate students. We tested in particular the hypothesis, based on the diametrical model of autism and psychosis, that autism should be negatively associated, and positive schizotypal traits should be positively associated, with spirituality. Our primary findings were threefold. First, in support of the diametric model, total Spirituality score was significantly negatively correlated with total Autism Quotient score, and significantly positively correlated with Positive Schizotypal traits (the Schizotypal Personality Cognitive-Perceptual subscale), as predicted. Second, these associations were driven mainly by opposite patterns regarding the Search for Meaning Spirituality subscale, which was the only subscale that was significantly negatively associated with autism, and significantly positively associated with Positive Schizotypal traits. Third, Belief in God was positively correlated with Positive Schizotypal traits, but was uncorrelated with autism traits. The opposite findings for Search for Meaning can be interpreted in the contexts of well-supported cognitive models for understanding autism in terms of weak central coherence, and understanding Positive Schizotypal traits in terms of enhanced salience.

Improving emotion regulation ability in autism: The Emotional Awareness and Skills Enhancement (EASE) program.

Emotion regulation impairments are common among individuals with autism spectrum disorder and are believed to often underlie commonly seen problems with aggression, depression, and anxiety. The Emotional Awareness and Skills Enhancement program was developed to reduce emotion regulation impairment and thereby improve behavioral disturbance, via mindfulness. Emotional Awareness and Skills Enhancement consists of a 16-week individual therapy treatment targeting emotion regulation impairments among individuals with autism spectrum disorder. We describe the conceptual framework and development of the program and present data on feasibility and preliminary efficacy from a pilot trial. The Emotional Awareness and Skills Enhancement manual was developed using a participatory action framework, based on emotion regulation research specific to autism spectrum disorder and input from individuals with autism spectrum disorder, therapists, and parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Emotional Awareness and Skills Enhancement was piloted in a two-site open trial with 20 participants with autism spectrum disorder (12-17 years old, confirmed autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, IQ > 80).Outcome data support program feasibility and acceptability to participants, as well as significant improvement in emotion regulation impairments and related concerns.Findings offer preliminary support for both the feasibility and clinical effectiveness of the Emotional Awareness and Skills Enhancement program.