Factors influencing the mental health of autistic children and teenagers: Parents' observations and experiences.

ABSTRACT:

Lay abstract

Autistic people are more likely to experience mental health difficulties compared to neurotypical people. It is very important that we understand what increases the risk for mental health difficulties, and what helps to protect against them. So far, research on this for children and young people has only investigated a small number of factors and these have been chosen by researchers and clinicians. This study took a different approach in which parents' expertise in their children was recognised. Parents were asked to tell the story of their autistic teenagers' mental health from diagnosis in early childhood through to the present, and to explain the 'theories' they developed about what affected their child's mental health - positively and negatively - and how. Parents

SUBMITTER: Mukherjee S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10576903 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature