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Review
. 2024 Nov;26(11):563-572.
doi: 10.1007/s11920-024-01533-0. Epub 2024 Sep 30.

Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in People on the Autism Spectrum

Morganne Reid  1 , Daylin Delgado  2 , Julia Heinly  2 , Bridgett Kiernan  2 , Samantha Shapiro  3 , Lisa Morgan  4 , Brenna Maddox  2 , Shari Jager-Hyman  5   6
Affiliations
Review

Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in People on the Autism Spectrum

Morganne Reid et al. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2024 Nov.

Abstract

Purpose of review: This review synthesizes recent research on suicidal thoughts and behaviors among autistic individuals. We present literature on risk and protective factors, risk assessment, intervention, and crisis services, and recommendations for future research.

Recent findings: Literature on this topic has grown substantially in recent years. Areas of advancement include improved understanding of risk factors (e.g., Interpersonal Theory of Suicide constructs, autistic burnout, mental health conditions, cognitive factors, diagnosis timing, emotion dysregulation), screening, assessment, acute-care services, and suicide-specific psychosocial treatments (e.g., safety planning, dialectical behavior therapy). Gaps include protective factors, impact of intersectional identities, and tailored approaches to screening, assessment, and intervention. Heightened awareness of suicide risk in autistic individuals has led to increased understanding of why autistic individuals think about and attempt suicide and the strategies used to identify and reduce suicide risk. We recommend community-partnered, multi-faceted, and strength-based approaches to inform tailored prevention and intervention efforts.

Keywords: Autism; Suicidal behavior; Suicidal ideation; Suicide.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Competing Interests: This work was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (R21 MH125262) awarded to B.B.M and S.J.H. This work was also supported through a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Project Program Award (SP-2020C3-20951). All statements in this report, including its findings and conclusions, are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of PCORI, its Board of Governors or Methodology Committee. Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent: This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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