Autism and Self-harm

The correlation between autism and self-harm is clear: young people who are struggling to communicate their emotions, needs and fears may well self-harm. Given that one of the main diagnosing factors of autism is an inability to verbalise and understand intense emotions, high numbers of young people on the autistic spectrum will self-harm.

As professionals we will have referrals and interaction with those who already have a diagnosis; however, we will also come across many who haven’t yet got one, or, likely due to the funding costs of getting a diagnosis, have been refused a diagnosis but clearly have behaviours that show they have autism.

This challenge may present itself in various guises:

• Lack of eye contact
• Poor communication
• High level frequency of verbal skills (those with aspergers)
• Lack of ability to manage change
• Poor school attendance due to anxiety
• Additional illness – bowel issues being one of the most common
• High sensory awareness: noise, bright lights, in need of stimulation,
• Lack of concentration or so focussed on a task or object that doesn’t notice anything else;
• Poor social interaction and friendship difficulties
• They could be either high academic achievers (those with aspergers) or struggling with academic work;

Basically – anything that isn’t fitting the ‘norm’. Trust your professional instinct.

If you are working with a young person who is harming, take a moment to consider if they might be on the autistic spectrum. Even if they aren’t – would they benefit from a change in how you approach them and support them in order to enable them to articulate their thoughts and feelings non verbally?

This article focuses on women who weren’t diagnosed until later in their lives; it marks the trials and difference they struggled to manage and cites how they felt relieved to be diagnosed.

For more information check out www.nas.org.uk