Clinician factors related to the delivery of psychotherapy for autistic youth and youth with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Researchers surveyed over 600 mental health professionals in Canada to understand why autistic children often struggle to get mental health care. They found that therapists feel less confident and willing to work with autistic children compared to children with ADHD. This happens because of gaps in their knowledge, different attitudes, and feeling unsure about how to help. The study shows we need better training for mental health professionals so autistic children can get the therapy they need.

This 2023 study surveyed 611 mental health clinicians across Ontario, Canada, to examine factors influencing their delivery of psychotherapy to autistic youth compared to those with ADHD. The research found that clinicians' knowledge, attitudes, confidence, and beliefs significantly impacted their treatment decisions. Clinicians reported less intention to provide therapy to autistic youth compared to those with ADHD, driven by differences in attitudes, perceived social pressures, and knowledge levels. The study identified that clinician knowledge was associated with treatment intention, mediated through attitudes and social pressures.

These findings highlight the need for enhanced training and educational initiatives for mental health practitioners to improve therapeutic access for autistic youth.

Results suggest targeted training programs addressing clinician knowledge, attitudes, and confidence could improve access to mental health services for autistic youth. Educational initiatives should focus on autism-specific therapeutic approaches and address clinicians' concerns about working with this population to reduce treatment disparities.

Study design is not specified in the abstract. Limited to publicly funded agencies in Ontario, Canada, which may not generalize to other healthcare systems or private practice settings. Self-reported data may be subject to social desirability bias.

Autistic children and youth often experience mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression and behavioural challenges. Although there are therapy programmes that have been found helpful in reducing these issues, such as cognitive behaviour therapy, autistic children often struggle to receive adequate mental health care. Clinicians' knowledge, attitudes, confidence and beliefs about treating mental health problems in autistic people may be related to their choices in providing psychotherapy. Across Ontario, Canada, 611 mental health clinicians, working in publicly funded agencies, completed an online survey about their experiences and opinions on delivering therapy for autistic clients compared to those with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Clinician knowledge was associated with their intention to treat autistic clients or clients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, partly because of their attitudes and the social pressures or values they felt. Clinicians reported feeling less intent on providing therapy to autistic youth compared to youth with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder because of differences in their attitudes, social pressures and knowledge. This research can inform the training and educational initiatives for mental health practitioners.