University of Cambridge

Suicidality and autism

Aims:

To establish the rate of suicidal thoughts, feelings, plans and attempts in autistic adults.

Background:

It is known that rates of depression and anxiety are high in autistic people. This was the first large scale study to determine risk of suicidal behaviour in autistic adults.

Method:

We surveyed over 400 adults attending an out-patient clinic in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who were seeking a diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome.

Results:

We found that two thirds of these adults had had suicidal thoughts and feelings, and one third had formed suicidal plans or actually attempted suicide.

Importance:

This is a wake up call to recognise autistic adults are at elevated risk of suicide.

Relevance:

We suspect the cause of this elevated suicide risk is lack of adequate support services. This research is the evidence base for investing greater funding into life-long services for autistic people.

Funders:

NIHR CLAHRC; The Autism Research Trust.

Staff members

Selected Publications

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