Fact sheet on suicide prevention strategies, providing information for parents of a child with Autism, an Autism Spectrum Disorder
 
 

IF YOUR CHILD IS SUICIDAL

The sense of powerlessness and stress can be overwhelming for parents if their child is on the autism spectrum and feeling suicidal — this can be a daunting time when your child finds existence so painful that suicide appears to be an increasingly rational decision. An important part of coping during this time is to have some understanding of the issues involved. Depression is such a common outcome for children with autism or Asperger's syndrome as they get older. Difficulties with fitting in with others often leads to negative feelings that may spiral out of control toward suicidal thoughts.

 

The warning signs

Parents are the people most likely to notice signs of a mental illness or emotional disorder in their child. The signs can be difficult to pick, as many could resemble the effects of having an Autism Spectrum Disorder in the first place. These may include:
• A drop in school performance
• Rigidity in thinking and behavior
• Unwarranted worry or anxiety
• Inability to cope with day-to-day problems
• Changes in sleeping or eating habits
• Aggression (verbal or physical) towards others
• Excessive fear – for example, fear of getting fat, or of not being liked
• Feelings of persecution, paranoia
• Recurrent nightmares
• Seeing, hearing or experiencing things that are not there
• Depression (hopelessness, uncontrollable crying, apathy, sadness)
• Difficulty ‘getting going’
• Social withdrawal.

 

What to do

If you’re worried about your child’s emotional health or suspect a mental illness, it’s useful to consult a health professional — preferably someone who understands the Autism Spectrum Disorders and its effects on your child, and preferably someone you’ve worked well with before. Together you could first try some strategies to deal with the problem. Your child’s response will provide useful information.


Refusing to go to school may reflect relatively mild anxiety that could be helped changing the child’s school environment, or by using carefully chosen strategies to change the child’s behavior. Remember too, that bullying of children on the autism spectrum is common, and create much anxiety and depression for the child if not addressed quickly.

 

If anxiety is severe – for example, if the child is having panic attacks – medication may be necessary. Treatment for mental health issues has improved vastly over recent years. Medication can usually reduce symptoms, and a range of psychological, behavioral and social therapies help people to address the problems in their lives and learn healthy ways of coping and behaving.

 

If the problem continues

If the young person’s problems continue, try to see a mental health professional with experience of both Autism Spectrum Disorders and young people (ask about their experience). If you can’t find someone with these skills, make sure the mental health professional knows your child’s history. Mental health professionals include psychiatrists and psychologists.


Autism Spectrum Disorder specialists and mental health specialists must coordinate their care, as treatment needs to take account of both conditions. For example, the dose of medications for mental illness may need to be adjusted for a person on the autism spectrum.

Good case management can help to ensure that services are coordinated and the right treatment identified. Often, though, parents have to be the ‘go between’ to make sure information is shared.

 

See the Family and Carer issues section of the website for more information on parenting issues.

 

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The sense of powerlessness and stress can be overwhelming for parents if there child is on the autism spectrum and feeling suicidal — this can be a daunting time when your child finds existence so painful that suicide appears to be an increasingly rational decision in response to living with an Autism Spectrum Disorder