A new study has revealed that a significant number of people who died by suicide were likely to have undiagnosed autism.
A team of researchers, led by Dr Sarah Cassidy from the University of Nottingham and Professor Simon Baron-Cohen from the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge, are the first to examine evidence of autism and autistic traits in those who died by suicide in England and to understand the prevalence of undiagnosed autism.
Being autistic means the brain functions in a different way than other people. It can mean that communication can be difficult and bright lights or loud noises may be overwhelming. Autism is a spectrum and everybody with autism is different.
The research is published today in the British Journal of Psychiatry.
Undiagnosed autism and suicide
The team analysed Coroners’ inquest records of 372 people who died by suicide and also interviewed family members of those who died.
The researchers discovered that 10% of those who died by suicide had evidence of elevated autistic traits, indicating likely undiagnosed autism. This is 11 times higher than the rate of autism in the UK. They worked with coroners’ offices in two regions of England to identify the records.
The team first examined the coroners’ inquests for each death by suicide for signs of elevated autistic traits indicating possible undiagnosed autism or a definite diagnosis of autism. Evidence of autism was then checked by an independent researcher to ensure the decisions were reliable. The researchers spoke to 29 of the families to gather further evidence to corroborate the elevated autistic traits in those who died. After speaking with the families, the researchers found evidence of elevated autistic traits in more people who died by suicide (41%), which is 19 times higher than the rate of autism in the UK.
“Suicide rates are unacceptably high in autistic people and suicide prevention has to be the number one goal to reduce the worrying increased mortality in autistic people”, said Simon Baron-Cohen.
Previous research findings
Previous research by the same group showed that up to 66% of autistic adults have thought about taking their own life, and 35% have attempted suicide. Around 1% of people in the UK are autistic, yet up to 15% of people hospitalised after attempted suicide have a diagnosis of autism. Previous research has also found that both diagnosed autistic people and those with elevated autistic traits are more vulnerable to mental health problems, suicidal thoughts, and behaviours. The new research goes beyond this by examining coroner’s records related to people who have ended their own life.
There are many barriers to obtaining an autism diagnosis, including the limited availability of diagnostic services, leading to long waiting lists. Even post-diagnosis, there are insufficient support services for autistic people. This results in people living with undiagnosed autism.
Dr Sarah Cassidy commented: “Many adults in the UK find it very difficult to obtain an autism diagnosis and appropriate support post-diagnosis. Our study shows that undiagnosed autistic people could be at increased risk of dying by suicide.
“It is urgent that access to an autism diagnosis and appropriate support post-diagnosis is improved. This is the top autism community priority for suicide prevention and needs to be addressed immediately by commissioners of services and policymakers.”
Professor Simon Baron-Cohen added: “Even a single suicide is a terrible tragedy for the person and a traumatic loss for their families and friends. Suicide rates are unacceptably high in autistic people and suicide prevention has to be the number one goal to reduce the worrying increased mortality in autistic people.
“Autistic people on average die 20 years earlier than non-autistic people, and two big causes of this are suicide and epilepsy. We published the preliminary data on elevated suicide rates back in 2014 as a wake-up call to governments, and yet nothing has been done.”
Currently, evidence of an autism diagnosis or elevated autistic traits is not usually included in coroners’ inquests in England. This study highlights the need for coroners to systematically gather evidence of autism and autistic traits in inquests to help prevent future deaths. There is also an urgent need to work with the autism community to co-design suicide prevention services. It further highlights the urgent need for earlier diagnosis, undiagnosed autism awareness and tailored support for suicide prevention.
