Autism Mental Health Research Highlights New Therapy and Suicide Screening Efforts

Researchers have developed a transdiagnostic exposure therapy combined with behavioral activation tailored for autistic adolescents with internalizing disorders. The pilot trial with 14 adolescent‑caregiver dyads reported strong feasibility and acceptability, a 78% treatment‑response rate, and a 57% remission rate for primary diagnoses.

In a separate initiative, Virginia Commonwealth University received a $39,940 grant to investigate barriers and facilitators to suicide‑risk screening and management for autistic youth. The mixed‑method study will gather perspectives from clinicians and caregivers, create educational tools, and aim to enhance routine suicide‑risk screening practices for this population.