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Autistic spectrum disorder without intellectual impairment in adult mental health services – fostering new perspectives and enhancing existing services

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 October 2018

N. Crowley ,
H. O’Connell  and
M. Gervin
N. Crowley*
Affiliation:
Psychology, HSE Dublin Mid Leinster, Bridge Street, Portlaoise, Laois, Tullamore R32 D525, Ireland
H. O’Connell
Affiliation:
Psychology, HSE Dublin Mid Leinster, Bridge Street, Portlaoise, Laois, Tullamore R32 D525, Ireland
M. Gervin
Affiliation:
Psychology, HSE Dublin Mid Leinster, Bridge Street, Portlaoise, Laois, Tullamore R32 D525, Ireland
*
*Address for correspondence: N. Crowley, Psychology, HSE Dublin Mid Leinster, Bridge Street, Portlaoise, Laois, Tullamore, Ireland (Email: niall.crowley@hse.ie)
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Abstract

Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neuro-developmental disability with multi-systemic impacts. Individuals with ASD without intellectual impairment (DSM-V) or Aspergers (DSM-IV) are often particularly vulnerable to mental health problems such as anxiety disorders including social phobia and generalised anxiety disorder, depressive disorders and psychosis. Adults with ASD without intellectual impairment suffer higher rates of physical and psychiatric morbidity, display a poorer ability to engage with treatment and have a lower chance of recovery compared with the general population. It is widely acknowledged that adults with suspected ASD without intellectual impairment and co-morbid mental health problems are often not best supported through adult mental health services and often require more tailored supports. This review seeks to (a) increase awareness in the area of undiagnosed cases of ASD without intellectual impairment in adult mental health settings and (b) highlights the importance of identifying this population more efficiently by referring to best practice guidelines. The value of future research to examine the benefit of having a team of specialist staff within adult mental health teams who have received ASD training and who are supported to work with the ‘core difficulties’ of ASD is discussed and a model for the same is proposed. It is proposed that a specialist team could form a ‘hub’ for the development of expertise in ASD, which when adequately resourced and funded could reach across an entire region, offering consultancy and diagnostic assessments and interventions.

Keywords

Adult mental healthAspergersautism spectrum disorderASD
Type
Perspective Piece
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 39 , Issue 3: Themed Issue: Autism Spectrum Disorders , September 2022 , pp. 312 - 318
Copyright
© College of Psychiatrists of Ireland 2018

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