A Transdiagnostic Therapist Toolkit to Improve Mental Health Treatment for Autistic Adolescents

Approximately 80% of autistic individuals have a co-occurring mental health condition (MHC). Untreated, MHCs exacerbate challenges for autistic people, impacting quality of life, education, employment, and community participation. However, many therapists are reluctant to accept autistic clients, citing a lack of training in autism. This creates a significant area of unmet need. Acceptable, time-efficient, and scalable resources for therapists are needed to increase both access to, and effectiveness of, mental health care for autistic people. This project aims to improve mental health care for autistic adolescents and adults by developing and pilot testing an online, self-directed, transdiagnostic toolkit for therapists. We will assess whether the toolkit (1) improves therapist (a) knowledge of autism and (b) confidence treating MHCs in autistic people, (2) is acceptable to therapists, and (3) improves the acceptability and efficacy of mental health care for autistic adolescents. In Phase I of the study, we will develop the toolkit based on extant research and interviews with autistic people and experienced therapists. In Phase II, the toolkit will be pilot tested in a large outpatient youth mental health center. This study is aligned with OAR’s mission to improve access to, and effectiveness of, mental health services and to enhance quality of life for persons with autism.