A new toolkit for healthcare providers is now available, with autism-specific training, screening instruments, safety planning and more.
La Trobe University researchers have released a world-leading toolkit, aimed at assisting healthcare professionals in the identification and support of autistic adults at risk of suicide.
Autistic people are significantly more likely to die by suicide than the general population, representing one of the highest suicide rates among identified priority groups, the researchers said in a press release. One in three autistic people report experiencing suicidal thoughts.
The Suicide Prevention for Autism Neuroaffirming (span) toolkit includes resources, policies, screening and assessment instruments and suicide safety planning.
There is also an educational component, which involves around two hours of training using videos and factsheets.
The researchers said a patient could be screened in as little as 10 minutes, and the toolkit was free and ready to use online.
“Autistic adults often face unrecognised mental health pressures and barriers to accessing timely and effective, autism-informed care,” said Dr Claire Brown, project lead and Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at La Trobe’s Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre.
“When autistic adults in mental health distress or during suicidal crises seek help, inconsistent screening, assessment and a lack of clinician confidence mean their suicidal thoughts or behaviour can be missed or dismissed.
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“Our toolkit addresses current gaps in practice by providing health care professionals with validated neuro-affirming tools to improve understanding, communication, screening and support for Autistic adults at risk of suicide.”
The toolkit was developed alongside Australian National University, Barwon Health, Bournemouth University, Deakin University, Monash Health, Monash University, UNSW, University of Nottingham and many more researchers, experts and mental health professionals.
“Decisions about treatment and support start with assessing suicide risk, which means asking the right questions. Autism-adapted tools help us to do that,” said Robyn Humphries OAM, Monash Health Deputy Operations Manager in the Mental Health Program.
