A Scoping Review of Autism and the Way It Changes the Presentation of Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior Compared to the General Population.

This review looked at research about suicide risk in autistic people. It found mixed results about whether autistic people are at higher risk, and that suicide might look different in autistic people compared to others. The review also found there are very few suicide prevention programs designed specifically for autistic people and their families.

This scoping review examined 39 articles on autism and suicidality to understand how autism changes the presentation of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Three main themes emerged: prevalence of suicidality in autistic people, presentation patterns including risk factors (gender, age, employment, education, co-occurring conditions, autism traits, intellectual disability), and autism-specific prevention approaches. The review found mixed and conflicting evidence regarding suicide risk in autism, with limited availability of autism-specific suicide awareness resources and prevention programs. The findings highlight the need for better understanding of how suicidality manifests differently in autistic individuals and the development of tailored intervention approaches.

Clinicians should be aware that suicidality may present differently in autistic individuals and consider multiple risk factors. There is an urgent need to develop and evaluate autism-specific suicide prevention approaches and training programs for professionals working with autistic people.

Review found mixed and conflicting evidence across studies. Limited availability of autism-specific resources may reflect publication bias or research gaps. Scoping review methodology provides breadth but less depth than systematic review approaches.

Autism spectrum conditions are a group of neurodevelopmental conditions that carries an array of co-occurring diagnoses, including a heightened risk of suicide attempts and suicide. This scoping review examined primary research focusing on autism and suicidality, to understand what is currently known on the topic, including how autism changes the presentation of suicidal thoughts and behavior; and to assess the suicide awareness and prevention education programs currently available for autistic people, their families, and health professionals and support workers. A comprehensive search (November 2021) across Scopus, PubMed and CINAHL identified 39 articles from 38 studies. Three themes emerged, with five subthemes. 1.

The prevalence of suicidality in autistic people; 2. The presentation of suicidality in autistic people, including (a) risk of suicidality; (b) gender, age, employment and education; (c) co-occurring psychiatric conditions; (d) autism traits and social communication; (e) intellectual disability; and 3. Autism-specific approaches to suicidal thoughts, behavior and prevention. Findings were mixed, including conflicting evidence on the risk of autism and suicidality, and limited evidence of resources related to autism-specific suicide awareness or information, and education or prevention programs.