A blind spot in mental healthcare? Psychotherapists lack education and expertise for the support of adults on the autism spectrum

Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132110579
Author(s):  
Silke Lipinski ◽  
Katharina Boegl ◽  
Elisabeth S Blanke ◽  
Ulrike Suenkel ◽  
Isabel Dziobek
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Research Group ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Autism Research ◽  
Autistic Adults ◽  
Lack Of Knowledge

Most adults on the autism spectrum have co-occurring mental health conditions, creating a high demand for mental health services – including psychotherapy – in autistic adults. However, autistic adults have difficulties accessing mental health services. The most-reported barriers to accessing treatment are therapists’ lack of knowledge and expertise surrounding autism, as well as unwillingness to treat autistic individuals. This study was conducted by a participatory autism research group and examined 498 adult-patient psychotherapists on knowledge about autism and self-perceived competency to diagnose and treat autistic patients without intellectual disability compared to patients with other diagnoses. Psychotherapists rated their education about autism in formal training, and competency in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with autism, lowest compared to patients with all other diagnoses surveyed in the study, including those with comparable prevalence rates. Many therapists had misconceptions and outdated beliefs about autism. Few had completed additional training on autism, but the majority were interested in receiving it. Greater knowledge about autism was positively linked to openness to accept autistic patients. The results point to an alarming gap in knowledge necessary for adequate mental health care for individuals with autism. Lay abstract Most autistic adults experience mental health problems. There is a great demand for psychotherapeutic support that addresses the specific needs of autistic individuals. However, people with autism encounter difficulties trying to access diagnostic and therapeutic services. This study was conducted by a participatory autism research group: a group in which autistic individuals and scientists collaborate. The group developed a questionnaire for psychotherapists in Germany to assess their knowledge about autism. Psychotherapists also rated their ability to diagnose and treat autistic patients without intellectual disability, and patients with other psychological diagnoses. Many of the 498 psychotherapists that responded reported little knowledge and outdated beliefs about autism, as well as little training on treating patients with autism. Their expertise about other psychological conditions was more comprehensive. However, many psychotherapists were interested in professional training on autism. Those with more knowledge were also more open to treating autistic patients. In conclusion, psychotherapists’ lack of knowledge and expertise seem to be a major barrier for adults with autism to receiving helpful psychotherapeutic support. The results demonstrate the need for an advancement in autism education during psychotherapists’ training and in continuous education.

scholarly journals Referral trends in mental health services for adults with intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorders

Autism ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elias Tsakanikos ◽  
Peter Sturmey ◽  
Helen Costello ◽  
Geraldine Holt ◽  
Nick Bouras
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

scholarly journals Are we training psychiatrists to develop skills in intellectual disability psychiatry? Current European context and future directions

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marisa Casanova Dias ◽  
Bhathika Perera ◽  
Florian Riese ◽  
Livia De Picker ◽  
Mariana Pinto da Costa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Psychiatric Training ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Education And Health ◽  
People With Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract The majority of people with intellectual disabilities (ID) and psychiatric disorders access mainstream mental health services across Europe. However, only 56% of countries provide postgraduate psychiatric training in ID according to a survey across 42 European countries. We explore the challenges of ID training and make recommendations for education and health policymakers.

scholarly journals Implementing a Mental Health Care Program and Home-Based Training for Mothers of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder in an Urban Population in Bangladesh: Protocol for a Feasibility Assessment Study (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aliya Naheed ◽  
Kamrun Nahar Koly ◽  
Helal Uddin Ahmed ◽  
Shaheen Akhter ◽  
MM Jalal Uddin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Child Care ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Dsm Iv

BACKGROUND Mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have reported a higher level of depression than mothers of children with other neurodevelopmental disorders in both developed and developing countries. Mothers are the lifetime caregivers of children with ASD, and a high burden of depression can negatively impact their ability to provide care. However, access to mental health services in primary care is limited, given the scarcity of qualified providers in Bangladesh. OBJECTIVE We aim to pilot the feasibility of integrating mental health services for the mothers of children with ASD attending schools offering ASD care and improve skills of mothers for child care through a home-based training program. METHODS The study will be conducted in two selected schools in Dhaka in Bangladesh that have been offering services for ASD for more than 10 years. A female psychologist will be deployed at the schools to offer nonpharmacological services for all mothers having a depressive episode. Referral for pharmacological treatment will be made at the discretion of supervising psychiatrists. An ASD special educator will provide training to the mothers for enhancing their child care skills at home on a monthly basis. The proposed intervention package will be implemented over a period of 4-6 months, and the feasibility of the intervention will be assessed through a pre- and postintervention evaluation by obtaining the perspectives of various stakeholders involved in the implementation of mental health services and maternal training. The primary outcome will include assessment of acceptability, adaptability, demand, practicality, implementation, and integration of the package intervention in the school settings. The secondary outcomes will include assessment of: 1) the prevalence of maternal depression; 2) children’s behavioral, social, and communication skills; and 3) the intervention participation costs incurred by institutions and families. RESULTS Between February and March 2017, 188 mothers of children with ASD were screened for depression following a written informed consent. Based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV), the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-IV (SCID-1) was administered to 66 mothers. In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 mothers and 8 various stakeholders. Between January-June 2017, the team finalized a draft psychosocial counseling module and a maternal training module. Between April-May 2017, mental health services were provided by psychologists to 41 mothers who attended the counseling centers at each school. Three special educators have been trained in June 2017 to initiate training of the participating mothers. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study of a mental health intervention for mothers of children with ASD to reduce their burden of depression and improve the outcomes of their children. The findings will inform the provision of services for children with ASD and their mothers in Bangladesh and similar settings.

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