"He Just Wants Someone to Hear Him and Listen to Him": Barriers and Facilitators to Autistic Youth with Anxiety Receiving Quality Mental Healthcare

• Published in: Journal of autism and developmental disorders
• Main Authors: Delgado, Daylin, LaPoint, Shannon C, Simmons, Grace Lee, Heinly, Julia M, Shepherd de, Whitney S, Kiernan, Bridgett, Brookman-Frazee, Lauren, Storch, Eric A, Maddox, Brenna B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 12.10.2024
• Subjects: Facilitators; Autism; Anxiety; Barriers; Mental healthcare
• ISSN: 0162-3257; 1573-3432; 1573-3432
• DOI: 10.1007/s10803-024-06574-1

About half of autistic youth present with clinically interfering anxiety. Psychotherapies with exposure-focused elements are effective in academic clinical settings and controlled trials. However, there is relatively less research examining the implementation of modified interventions for autistic youth with anxiety in community mental health settings. The current study explores community members' perceptions of barriers and facilitators that impact autistic youth with anxiety's receipt of quality mental health services in their community. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 autistic youth, 15 caregivers of autistic youth, 11 community mental health clinicians, and 8 community mental health clinic leaders. Interviews were analyzed thematically. Participants shared their experiences with facilitators and barriers to autistic youth with anxiety receiving quality mental healthcare. Themes that emerged include (1) characteristics of the autistic youth, (2) engagement of autistic youth and caregivers, (3) building rapport between providers, autistic youth, and caregivers, (4) access to mental health services, (5) intervention fit, and (6) provider characteristics. Based on participants' perspectives and suggestions, future directions for anxiety treatment programs tailored for autistic youth include building more time into the intervention sessions to build rapport, incorporating autistic youth's preferences into provider matches, and providing families with more psychoeducation.