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Suicidality in Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Commentary

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Abstract

Recent studies report a higher prevalence of suicidality (ideation, attempts and deaths by suicide) among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) than in the general population. Unfortunately, there is little research addressing the conceptualization and management of suicidality in the ASD population. In this commentary, we explore potential modifications in the processes leading to suicidality in individuals with ASD and considerations relevant to clinical support and service development. Specifically, based on a multilevel framework, we highlight individual, contextual and systemic risk factors of suicidality in the ASD population noted in the literature. We discuss how patterns of ASD-related behaviours may modify specific pathways in theories of suicide as developed for the general population. We explore how ASD symptomology may contribute to maladaptive coping strategies and dynamics between those with ASD and their care providers. Considerations for prevention and proactive responses at various levels of practice and implications for support and service development are discussed as future directions in the field.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Dr. Jonathan Weiss, Dr. Yona Lunsky and Jeri Kendle for sharing their clinical and community work experience, and thus contributing to the development of this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, York University, 4700 Keele St, Toronto, Ontario, M3J 1P3, Canada

    Jonathan K.Y. Lai

  2. Autism Speaks Canada, 2450 Victoria Park Avenue. Unit 120, Toronto, Ontario, M2J 4A2, Canada

    Esther Rhee

  3. Faculty of Social Work, Central and Northern Alberta Region, University of Calgary, 3-190, 10230 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 4P6, Canada

    David Nicholas

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  1. Jonathan K.Y. Lai
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  2. Esther Rhee
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  3. David Nicholas
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Correspondence to Jonathan K.Y. Lai.

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Lai, J.K., Rhee, E. & Nicholas, D. Suicidality in Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Commentary. Adv Neurodev Disord 1, 190–195 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-017-0018-4

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