Gilmore D, Longo A, Krantz M, Radford D, Hand BN. Five Ways Providers Can Improve Mental Healthcare for Autistic Adults: A Review of Mental Healthcare Use, Barriers to Care, and Evidence-Based Recommendations.
Curr Psychiatry Rep 2022;
24:565-571. [PMID:
35969335 PMCID:
PMC9376572 DOI:
10.1007/s11920-022-01362-z]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
We reviewed the literature from 2017 to 2022 on autistic adults' use of mental healthcare and barriers to care. To encourage immediate improvement in mental healthcare, we provide five strategies mental health providers can use to better care for autistic adults.
RECENT FINDINGS
Most autistic adults use mental healthcare and use it more often than non-autistic adults. Autistic adults' experiences with mental healthcare are characterized by (1) lack of providers knowledgeable about autism, (2) use of treatments that may not be accommodating to individual needs, and (3) difficulty navigating the complex healthcare system. These barriers contribute to prevalent unmet needs for mental healthcare. Autistic adults use mental healthcare frequently but have unmet mental health needs. As necessary systemic changes develop, providers can begin immediately to better care for autistic adults by learning about their needs and taking personalized care approaches to meet those needs.
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