Autism and Suicidal Tendencies
This has been a difficult week, with two prominent people
taking their lives. What struck me is that even their closest family members
and friends didn’t realize the depth of their despair. Many people live behind
masks they only remove in the seclusion of their homes or bedrooms. Thus, no
one sees their deep emotional anguish.
To believe individuals with autism do not experience
strong emotional ups and downs is simply erroneous. They are as vulnerable as
you and me, often to a far greater degree because they struggle to control
their emotions. The tendency to fixate on a particular line of thought often affects
their subsequent actions. Their silence can also be misconstrued as a sign they
are doing okay, when in reality their thoughts and emotions are tearing them up
inside.
According to an article in Psychology Today, “the
percentage of children with autism rated by their parents as sometimes to very
often contemplating or attempting suicide was 28 times greater than that of
typical children, though three times less than that of depressed non-autistic
children.”[i]
Which begs the question, what actions can parents take to
counter suicidal ideation? Here are five simple measures parents can use to
assess their child’s emotional state:
·
Be alert to
your child’s behaviors, words, and actions. Do not trivialize any conduct that
might be cause for alarm.
·
Talk
to your child. Be sure to check in with your child every day.
Ask about school, friends, activities, and keep a sharp ear out for words that
might clue you in to their emotional state. If you notice any signs of bullying,
take immediate action!
·
Find a
good counselor. We took our son to several psychologists and
counselors, before finally discovering a wonderful counselor who has a family
member on the spectrum. Her first-hand experience with autism has proven invaluable
in her ability to understand and help our son.
·
Keep
your child engaged. Isolation can be detrimental to someone with
negative, harmful thoughts. Encourage him/her to build friendships (autism
support groups can open doors to making similar-minded friendships), be active in
his/her community and/or church, and foster positive interaction with family
members.
·
Remove
potential harm. Keep medications and firearms under lock and
key. If you feel your child might be thinking of harming himself, remove potential
risks such as ropes, cords, knives, sharp objects, or anything he might use to
take his life.
·
Contact
your child’s physician. If you notice a change in mood or
behavior, contact your child’s physician immediately. He or she can get your
child the help he or she needs.
Suicide
is not an issue most of us like to think about, much less address. Yet it is vital
that we, as parents or family members, address this important topic. If you
need help, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at
1-800-273-8255.
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