Autism Research—What’s New in March 2023?
This research roundup picks out some of the current big debates on autistic lives, and showcases some of the research from teams making an impact on improving the quality of life for autistic individuals.
Content Warning: the 3rd article discussed contain content that some may find upsetting or triggering.
Autistic Adults as Educators - Exploring Parent Perceptions of Autistic Presenters
Blagrave and team asked parents of autistic individuals their views of autism training delivered by autistic people. Very useful findings in this new study, showing the positive benefits of learning about autism in authentic ways. Participants shared a variety of useful outcomes, including better hopes for the future for their children, more use of affirming language about autism, better understanding of sensory impacts, and improved understanding of the reasons for an autistic individual’s distress.
At Neurodiverse Connection our team design and deliver one-off and ongoing training to groups and teams that work with autistic and neurodivergent people. For more information, contact us
Motor Impairments in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Kangarani-Farahani and team searched for past research into movement and co-ordination difficulties in autistic children and young people (‘motor impairments’). The studies showed that more than half (50-88%) had significant difficulties. Very few had a diagnosis for this, and therefore were not receiving support and therapy. The team note the impact on their personal, academic and social lives. This is important research, especially when so many teams and parents are told that autistic children and young people are just not putting enough effort into sports, manual skills, etc, and ought to try harder.
Content Warning: Suicide
Suicidality and Autistic People
Newell and team, March 2023, considered the vital subject of understanding suicidality in autistic people. They studied the research papers done so far, and discovered suicidal thoughts in over a third (34.2%) of autistic/potentially autistic people who did not also have Intellectual Disabilities. Suicide plans were present in 21.9%, and suicide attempts and behaviours in 24.3%. Comparing this to the general population, the numbers would be around 9% for suicidal thoughts,& between 2 and 3% for suicide plans and suicide attempts and behaviours. Clearly autistic individuals are at very much higher risk of thinking about, planning, or actually taking their own lives. The team consider what should be done about this very serious situation, and recommend further research with the autistic communities, improved measures of suicidality for autistic people, and better collection of evidence around risks and protective factors.
The experience of seeking, receiving, and reflecting upon a diagnosis of autism in the UK
Wilson and team took a look at 19 studies which had asked nearly 500 autistic people about their experiences of seeking, and obtaining, a diagnosis of autism. It was a mixed picture, with many reporting that diagnosis enabled better self-understanding and self-kindness, but reported the diagnostic process as often being deficit-focused, harrowing and exhausting. The team recommend that diagnostic professionals obtain good modern training on autism so that they are better able to identify autistic people from a wide range of backgrounds, genders, ethnicities and other characteristics. They also recommend that diagnostic teams focus on strengths and on supports that will be helpful, rather than on deficits. Many participants had valued peer support during their diagnostic journey. However, the stigma in society has proved difficult to overcome in many instances, and reflects the amount of work that society itself has to do to include and value autistic individuals. Well worth a read if we are attempting to avoid poor mental health for autistic people.
Love, Joy, and a Lens of Childhood Trauma: Exploring Factors That Impact the Mental Health and Well-Being of Autistic Parents
Smit and Hopper interviewed autistic parents about their parenting and past experiences, and the impact on their mental health and wellbeing. Reporting strong connections with, and empathy for, their children, they also reported feeling love and joy as parents. However, many also related having to overcome traumatic incidents in their past, and a determination to protect their children from experiencing trauma. Where professionals had good modern training on autism, outcomes were far more positive during interactions. Too few professionals are using trauma-informed approaches as yet. There are not enough studies exploring the lives of autistic parents as yet, so this is an important contribution to this much-needed subject.
