Identifying and Addressing Mental Health Issues in Autistic Individuals

By Amanda Frye, M.S., BCBA, LABA

[This column was published in The West Springfield Republican on May 22, 2025.]

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), “Research shows that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at higher risk for some mental health conditions than children without autism.” Common conditions include anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and depression.

It is therefore extremely important to monitor and address the mental health of autistic children in order to help them lead their best lives. The same is true for all of us, whether we are young or old, autistic or neurotypical.

If you have any major or ongoing concerns about your mental health or that of a loved one who is unable to advocate for themselves, it is essential to contact a health care provider to seek further guidance.

A person’s mental health can fluctuate on any given day because of a number of biological or environmental factors. For example, increased stress as a result of a one-time overwhelming experience, or relief when a nerve-wracking appointment gets cancelled can affect how you feel.

If the mental health concerns of an autistic individual are more related to daily stressors than specific events, use the verbal or nonverbal communication cues they provide to make modifications to their environment, if possible. This may help relieve or minimize the stressors they are experiencing.

It is also beneficial to help the affected person identify what their stressors are if they have not been able to do so. If they can learn to recognize what events or situations cause them to feel stressed, they may be able to develop coping strategies to deal with the stress. This may also help them navigate similar situations and be able to advocate for themselves in the future.

One common characteristic of autism is communication breakdown, so it is helpful to understand how to best interact with a person whose communication style and abilities differ from your own. It is important to note that autistic individuals may communicate in a variety of different ways that may include: 1) easily understood vocal verbal communication; 2) use of assistive and augmentative communication devices (AAC) such as iPad applications or picture cards; 3) pointing and gestures; or 4) any combination of these strategies.

It is also possible that a person may communicate in different ways during different levels of distress. Sometimes a person who is typically able to communicate effectively using their words may struggle if they are upset and need to show you what is wrong through their behavior or body language. Understanding their communication style can be an essential step in helping them address concerns related to mental health if they are not able to do so on their own.

Managing mental health looks different for everyone, and anyone may need help coping with mental health issues at any given time. Although it may be easy for some people to identify changes in their own mental health, that is not always the case for everyone.

If you have a family member or friend who is autistic, it is important to realize when they may need help identifying and addressing struggles with their own mental health. For specific guidance, please contact your medical health care provider or a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, or BCBA.

Amanda Frye, M.S., BCBA, LABA is Clinical Director at the May Center School for Autism and Developmental Disabilities in West Springfield, Mass. She can be contacted at afrye@mayinstitute.org.
 
About May Institute
May Institute is a nonprofit organization that is a national leader in the field of applied behavior analysis and evidence-based interventions, serving autistic individuals and individuals with other developmental disabilities, brain injury, neurobehavioral disorders, and other special needs. Founded 70 years ago, we provide a wide range of exceptional educational and rehabilitative services across the lifespan. May Institute operates five schools for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities, including one in West Springfield. For more information, call 800.778.7601 or visit www.mayinstitute.org.