1
Return

Self-injurious behaviours and mental health in autistic adults with severe intellectual disabilities: An explorative clinical study

delete2025-10-01
delete0
PRE
AI
A
Anne Langseth Rysstad
J
Julia Skoglund
A
Arvid Nikolai Kildahl *
DOI:10.1177/17446295251392061delete
deleteOriginal
deleteOriginal request for help
deleteShare
deleteSave
Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Background: Self-injurious behaviour (SIB) is a serious and persistent phenomenon affecting a substantial proportion of autistic individuals. Autistic individuals with severe intellectual disabilities and co-occurring mental health disorders may be at increased risk of engaging in SIB. However, knowledge is limited concerning the relationship between mental health and SIB in this population. Methods: Multimodal, comprehensive mental health assessments of 10 autistic adults with severe intellectual disabilities and severe and persistent SIB were conducted, following current recommendations and including multiple assessment tools. Results: All participants were diagnosed with a mental health disorder. While all participants had displayed SIB for decades (M = 22.80 years), for 8/10 participants, co-occurring mental health disorders had not been previously assessed or diagnosed. Conclusion: Persistent SIB in autistic people with severe intellectual disabilities may be associated with unmet mental health needs. These results highlight the importance of conducting comprehensive mental health assessments in these individuals.
Keywords:
assessment
autism
mental health
self-injurious behaviour
severe intellectual disability

Journal

Journal of Intellectual Disabilities cover
Journal of Intellectual Disabilities
IF:
1.4
Papers:
23
Citations:
1.1K

Organization

U
university of oslo
Scholars:
4.2W
Papers: 3.5W
Citations: 53
Cited Papers

Cited Papers

Citing Papers

Citing Papers