Autism & Suicide

[Daniel E.]

Suicide Prevention Resource Center

www.sprc.org

April 23, 2021

One of the most important findings from this study was that protective factors for suicide in the general population were not protective for individuals with ASD. In fact, being married or cohabitating and employed were less protective for those with ASD. In addition, the risk of suicide attempt increased with education level and was highest among those with a university degree. However, psychiatric comorbidity was a major risk factor for suicide in the ASD population, with more than 90% of those who attempted or died by suicide having another psychiatric diagnosis. The authors suggested social isolation and poor access to health care could explain the link between ASD and suicide risk.

 

[Daniel E.]

Assessment of Suicidal Behaviors Among Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder in Denmark

This cohort study uses national register data to analyze whether people with ASD have higher rates of suicide attempt and suicide compared with people without ASD, identify potential risk factors for suicide attempts and suicide among those with ASD, and examine associations with comorbid disorders.

jamanetwork.com

January 12, 2021

The highest rates of suicide attempt were found for people with ASD who were unemployed; however, the difference with the group without ASD was highest for those who were employed, with employment having a lesser protective association for those with ASD. Some authors have suggested a mitigating association of employment for those with ASD. We can only speculate whether this finding might be partly associated with higher levels of peer victimization and other types of workplace bullying, as shown in other studies. Another possibility is that those who are employed in low-paying jobs are presumably experiencing stress owing to poor finances and structural inequality...

Our findings show a higher rate of suicide attempt and suicide associated with persons with ASD in a nationwide cohort study in Denmark. Psychiatric comorbidity was found to be a major risk factor, with more than 90% of those with ASD who attempted or died by suicide having another comorbid condition. A number of risk factors for suicidality among individuals with ASD are different from risk factors in the general population.