Suicidality in Autism Spectrum Conditions

SIG Leader: Sarah Cassidy SIG Co-Leaders: Gareth Richards & Kathryn Cook Research is showing high rates of suicidal thoughts, behaviours, and death by suicide in people with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC). Systematic reviews have highlighted methodological weaknesses in the limited number of available studies; small non-representative samples, unconfirmed ASC diagnosis, lack of valid measures or attention to risk and protective factors. This impedes development of new theories and interventions to understand and reduce suicide risk in ASC. Our first SIG identified three priority areas for future research: 1) Measurement/Assessment; 2) Risk/Protective Factors; and 3) Intervention/Prevention. The current SIG therefore aims to develop each of these areas by identifying priority research questions and methods to address them, through discussions in small working groups. The trainee co-leads will summarize the outcomes of the SIG, discuss and identify training needs and career opportunities in this area, and match students with group members with similar interests.