Improving Psychological Therapies for Autistic Adults

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder is characterized by challenges in social communication and repetitive behaviours, with sensory processing differences also common. Autistic adults experience high rates of mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, but access mental health services less frequently than neurotypical individuals.

A systematic literature review of nine studies on psychological therapies for depression and anxiety in autistic adults highlighted promising results for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Therapies (MBT), particularly for depression, though anxiety outcomes were mixed. The review emphasized the importance of autism-specific adaptations and highlighted gaps in research, particularly for therapies like NeuroACT and Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT).

The major research study explored autistic adults’ personal experiences of therapy using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), identifying five key themes: feeling misunderstood, barriers to therapy, emotional expression difficulties, power imbalances, and sensory challenges. Participants expressed dissatisfaction with therapists’ limited autism knowledge, which exacerbated feelings of powerlessness and discomfort. Positive outcomes were noted when therapists adapted their approach to accommodate autism-specific needs.

Both studies stress the need for tailored therapeutic interventions and specialized training for therapists working with autistic adults.