The prevalence of mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, AD/HD, OCD, and suicidality is significantly higher among autistic people than in the non-autistic population. Co-occurring mental issues in autism have been associated with imbalances in the gut microbiome, sensory processing difficulties, chronic inflammation, and autonomic nervous system dysregulation. Our list of resources covers contemporary research on drivers of mental illness and advice for navigating mental health difficulties in autism.

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Articles on Mental Health & Autism

This article originally appeared in Autism Research Review International, Vol. 39, No. 3, 2025, and discusses a multinational, multidisciplinary think tank has published a report outlining priorities for enhancing the health and quality of life of older adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and/or intellectual disabilities (ID). Noting that the number of older adults with ASD and ID is growing rapidly, the think tank members say that “expanding capacity to meet their needs is crucial.” They point out that while there has been substantial research into the needs of a globally aging population, “the needs of those with autism and/or intellectual disabilities have been under-addressed in this research, as well as in practice and program advancement.”

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This article originally appeared in Autism Research Review International, Vol. 35, No. 1, 2021, and discusses survey data collected from more than 42,000 caregivers of children, calculating the prevalence of mental conditions in four different groups: children with ASD, children with intellectual disability, children with special health care needs, and children with none of these issues. The researchers found that nearly 78% of children with ASD had at least one mental health condition, and nearly half had two or more. In contrast, only 14.1% of children without ASD had mental health conditions. Children with ASD also had a higher prevalence of mental conditions than children with intellectual disability or special health care needs.

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This article originally appeared in Autism Research Review International, Vol. 36, No. 2, 2022, and discusses the relationship between gastrointestinal (GI) issues and internalizing behaviors in autistic individuals. It notes that many autistic people experience GI issues such as constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain which may contribute to internalizing behaviors such as anxiety and depression. The authors highlight the importance of identifying and treating GI issues in autistic patients, as this may improve their overall well-being and reduce the severity of internalizing behaviors. The article also emphasizes the need for continued research to understand further the relationship between GI issues and internalizing behaviors in individuals with ASD.

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Many autistic individuals experience meltdowns due to various triggers, such as difficulties with sensory processing, mental health issues, or physical discomfort. This article discusses several strategies for calming individuals during a meltdown, such as using sensory input or distraction techniques. The author emphasizes the importance of understanding individual needs and triggers in treatment planning and highlights proactive measures for preventing meltdowns, such as creating a sensory-friendly environment. Overall, the article provides practical guidance for autistic individuals and caregivers in managing meltdowns and promoting a sense of calm. All information presented in this article was gathered from ARI resources listed within the text.

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Webinars from ARI on Mental Health & Autism

Dr. Emily Casanova and Dr. Manuel Casanova consider how the autonomic nervous system may govern anxiety in autism. The speakers detail the autonomic nervous system (ANS) composition and various clinical and behavioral presentations of autonomic dysregulation. They specify disparities in ANS function between autistic and non-autistic individuals and propose atypical autonomic arousal as an underlying cause of anxiety in autism. Casanova discusses the interplay of interoception, autonomic arousal, and emotional states and underscores the importance of holistic data and assessments. They discuss transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as a potential treatment for ANS dysfunction and reiterate the direct relationship to the presentation of anxiety in autism.

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Dr. Connor Kerns delivers research updates on the intersection of trauma and autism. She describes the relationship between childhood adversities, trauma, and mental health and highlights the need for trauma measurements that are specific to the autism community. The presenter considers the complexities of diagnosing PTSD in autism and details the development of the Childhood Adversity & Social Stress Questionnaire (CASS-Q). Kern’s ongoing work aims to describe the adversities of autistic youth and compare the CASS-Q PR symptom subscale to the DSM-5 PTSD descriptors. She discusses preliminary results revealing high validity and summarizes limitations and implications before the Q&A.

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Dr. Calliope Holingue, MPH, Ph.D., provides an overview of the intersection between the gut, autism, and well-being. She outlines recent studies on the GI needs and experiences of autistic individuals and discusses the complex pathways of connection between the gut and autism. The presenter summarizes GI-autism research to date, highlighting the need for screening tools specific to autistic GI experiences. Diet change and Fecal Matter Transplant are outlined as microbial interventions in autism. Holingue provides tips for recognizing GI distress and discusses future directions for research and interventions before the Q&A.

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Amy Keefer, Ph.D., dives into anxiety and autism. She characterizes anxiety, noting differences in anxiety typical during developmental stages and psychopathological anxiety that interferes with daily function over an extended period. The speaker discusses anxiety prevalence rates across populations, common anxiety disorders in autism, and contemporary research on ambiguous anxiety. Keefer considers how to identify anxiety in autism, underscoring the overlap of symptomology and genetics in autism and anxiety. The presenter explores treatment options, including medication, modified cognitive behavioral therapy (MCBT), and mindfulness-based treatments. She suggests collaborating with professionals who are knowledgeable about autism and provides resources before the Q&A.

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Amanda Tami, LPC, BCBA, discusses the importance of self-care for adult caregivers supporting people with special needs, including autism. She provides context for mental health in the US and highlights the importance of self-care in the modern world. The speaker outlines factors that affect mental health, discusses burnout compared to depression, and describes issues with the way society views and idealizes self-care. Tami reframes self-care using five key aspects to create more accessible and realistic expectations for adult caregivers. She emphasizes short, personalized self-care routines that can be done alongside other responsibilities and notes the trial and error of discovering what works. Throughout the presentation, Tami highlights community support and socialization.

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Dr. Dena Gassner deconstructs autistic masking and provides a new framework for understanding this universal human experience. She discusses myths about masking being an exclusively autistic experience and asserts the need to move away from the classic binary lens (male vs. female) of autism presentations. The speaker redefines masking as a complex and labor-intensive cognitive process that is especially taxing for autistic people. Gassner highlights the significant risks and harms of persistent masking, including co-occurring conditions and missed or misdiagnosis. She provides a framework for embracing authenticity and conscious adaptation instead of using masking as a default state.

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Continuing Medical Education on Mental Health & Autism

This CME/CE activity reviews diagnostic criteria, differential diagnosis, and evidence-informed management approaches for disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. The activity is designed to support clinician knowledge and clinical reasoning related to assessment, diagnosis, and individualized care planning.

Faculty: Robert Hendren, DO
Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science Emeritus
University of California, San Francisco Medical Center
San Francisco, CA

Moderator: Stephen M. Edelson, PhD
Chief Science Officer
Autism Research Institute
San Diego, CA

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This CME/CE activity reviews core principles of nutrition and dietetics, components of structured nutritional assessment, and evidence related to dietary patterns and inflammation. The activity is designed to support interdisciplinary collaboration and evidence-informed clinical decision-making.

Faculty: Kelly Barnhill, CN, CCN
The Johnson Center for Child Health and Development
Director, Nutrition Clinic
Clinical Care Director

Moderator: Stephen M. Edelson, PhD
Chief Science Officer
Autism Research Institute
San Diego, CA

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This CME/CE activity reviews principles of functional behavior assessment, ethical decision-making, and function-based prevention and response strategies. The activity is designed to support interdisciplinary clinical reasoning and coordinated care across medical, educational, and home settings.

Faculty: Lauren Moskowitz, PhD
St. John’s University
Professor, Assistant Chair in Psychology

Moderator: Stephen M. Edelson, PhD
Chief Science Officer
Autism Research Institute
San Diego, CA

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The Psychiatric Issues and Autism Spectrum Disorder webcast will recognize different approaches that have been used to establish that there are genetic factors that are relevant to the causation of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs).

Faculty: Robert Hendren, DO, the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center; Charles Henry, MD, Columbia University Department of Psychiatry; Agnes Whitaker, MD, Columbia University Department of Psychiatry

Facilitated by Marvin Natowicz, MD, Ph.D., Cleveland Clinic

Anxiety in Individuals with Autism: Part One provides expert insight into underlying anxiety disorders associated with autism. Increased understanding of autistic children and adults should be improved by virtue of educating about etiologies associated with this complex disorder.
The webcast features expert faculty member Lauren Moskowitz, Ph.D., of St. John’s University, and is moderated by Marvin Natowicz, MD, Ph.D., Cleveland Clinic.

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This webcast provides expert insight into how autistic people may experience medical and dental treatments and how that may differ from the experiences of others. Autistic author and speaker Dr. Temple Grandin describes communication strategies that may be helpful in clinical settings and how to find professional healthcare support for autism. The overall well-being of autistic adults will improve as autistic-lived experiences are increasingly recorded and assessed.

The compassionate care webcast features Dr. Temple Grandin of Colorado University and commentary by Activity Director Dr. Marvin Natowicz.

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Resources From Our Friends at AIDE Canada

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Self-Regulation Strategies for Self-Injury

March 25th, 2025|Adults on the Spectrum, Anxiety, Assessment, depression, Meltdowns, News, Self Care, Self Injury, Self-Injury, Webinar|

Emily Ferguson, Ph.D., discusses self-regulation strategies for self-injurious behaviors (SIB). She outlines recent research on the frequency and distribution of different SIBs across a large sample, underscoring the importance of assessing individual behavior

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Wellbeing Wins: Integrating Positive Psychology into the Autism Community

January 2nd, 2025|Adults on the Spectrum, Anxiety, Anxiety, Back to School, depression, Executive Function, Health, Neurological, News, Self Care, Sleep Issues, Social Skills, Webinar|

Patricia Wright, PhD, MPH, and Katie Curran, MAAP, introduce Proof Positive - The Autism Well-being Alliance. The speakers describe positive psychology, its impact on well-being, and why it matters for autistic

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Gender Discomfort and Autism

June 16th, 2023|News|

"I think society has an expectation where you have to be male or female, or you can be somewhere in between [...]. But they don't get that, actually, there are many genders