One in three youngsters with autism will have battled a mental health crisis in the past three months, new research shows.
Psychiatrist Dr Roma Vasa, of the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, found running off and self-harm were the most common problems among young children.
Dr James Cusack wants more investment in early intervention services for autism
Physical and verbal aggression were the most frequent difficulties among older children.
Vasa’s study suggests timely identification and treatment is “critical” to reducing mental health problems.
Three in four see psychiatrist or therapist
Vasa based the work on children and young people aged three to 25 years old.
It found that three in four (75 per cent) of those who were in crisis had seen a psychiatrist or behavioural therapist in the past three months.
But the other one in four (25 per cent) were not in any mental health treatment.
Also, around one in four were not using respite services, in-home services or crisis hotlines.
The findings showed that younger children, or those aged three to 11, are more likely to end up in crisis.
Having depressed parents and a lower quality of family life also increased the likelihood of a mental health crisis.
Crisis can lead to police involvement
Research shows autistic people are more vulnerable to mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
And Vasa’s study warns that a crisis can lead to a “restrictive placement, police involvement and caregiver stress”.
The work, published in the journal Autism Research, was based on findings from 462 parents of children with autism.
It found that 32 per cent of the children had suffered a mental health crisis in the past three months.
Call for early intervention
Dr James Cusack is science director at UK autism research charity Autistica.
He wants more investment in early intervention.
Cusack added that it was necessary to “build research” and “give every autistic person access to high-quality support”.
The UK government has said learning disabilities and autism are one of four clinical priorities in the NHS long-term plan.
The plan is aimed at improving community support and reducing numbers in mental health hospitals.
Related:
- Ombudsman slams mental health care
- NHS to screen all mental health deaths
- Supporting mental health & wellbeing for children & young people across the UK
Published: 16 December 2019
