Mental Health Priorities and Suicide Prevention: Addressing Needs of Autistic Adults

UNDERSTANDING WARNING SIGNS OF SUICIDE RISK ADAPTED FOR AUTISTIC ADULTS

Autistic adults experience high-rates of co-occurring mental health conditions. The work of Autistic Adults and other Stakeholders Engaged Together (AASET) identified top priorities for research and practice. Among these is addressing trauma, suicide prevention, and mental health service delivery. This presentation will share the top priorities, and will provide an introduction to a new toolkit developed by autistic leaders and mental health providers in understanding warning signs of suicide and considerations to take for autistic individuals.

Lisa Morgan M.Ed. CAS is the co-chair of the Autism and Suicide committee of the American Association of Suicidology. She has a master’s degree in the Art of Teaching in Special Education, is a certified autism specialist, and owner of Lisa Morgan Consulting LLC. Lisa is the author of three books and two autism resources for crisis support in the autism community. Lisa is a Community Council member of AASET (Autistic Adults and other Stakeholders Engaged Together).

Teal W. Benevides, PhD, MS, OTR/L is an occupational therapist, researcher, wife, and mother. Currently, she serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy and in the Institute of Public and Preventive Health at Augusta University. Teal is committed to fostering access to services and supports for individuals on the autism spectrum. In this collaborative work with autistic partners, Teal aims to identify ways for individuals to achieve better health outcomes and be able to participate in meaningful life activities. Teal co-leads the Autistic Adults and other Stakeholders Engage Together (AASET) project with Dr. Stephen Shore and a talented Community Council.

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