Self-Harm in autistic people
A project aiming to understand and help autistic people who self-harm has been funded by the International Society for Autism Research Slifka-Ritvo Innovation in Autism Award.
Our research has found that there are no tools available to assess self-harm in autistic adults. There is also very little research trying to understand why autistic and non-autistic adults self-harm. This means that service providers are not able to effectively assess these difficulties in autistic adults, or provide access to appropriate support and treatment.
We are adapting an innovative task in partnership with autistic adults, to help us understand why autistic people self-harm, and if the reasons are different to non-autistic people. The task we are adapting is called the Card Sort Task for Self-harm (CaTS). The CaTS was originally developed by the self-harm research group at the University of Nottingham, led by Prof. Ellen Townsend, in partnership with looked after young people. You can find further information about the CaTS here.
Ellen came to the 1st Suicide in Autism Summit and presented the CaTS to autistic people, their families, service providers, clinicians and researchers. Many autistic people and those who support them said that the CaTS could also be really useful for autistic people to describe what happened before and after they self-harmed. Sarah Cassidy (lead for MHAutism) worked with Ellen to obtain funding for this project. Together they are adapting the CaTS in partnership with autistic adults.
We have met with our autistic steering group who have helped us adapt the CaTS for autistic adults. This study is now open to recruitment! This project will finish in August 2022. You can find out more about the study and register your interest in taking part by reading the information below.
Understanding and helping autistic and non-autistic adults who self-harm
We are researchers in the self-harm research group, and mental health in autism project at the University of Nottingham. We want to learn why autistic and non-autistic adults self-harm. This will help us develop better understanding and support for autistic and non-autistic adults who self-harm.
We are asking adults (aged 18 years or older), who have self-harmed in the last 6 months, to take part in our study. You can take part if you are diagnosed autistic, self-identify as autistic (but not yet diagnosed), or are not autistic. We are looking for 25 adults who are diagnosed or self-identify as autistic, and 25 adults who are not autistic to take part.
You can take part in the study in person or online. If you decide to take part in person, you will be invited to meet with the researchers in a private place at the University of Nottingham. If you decide to take part online, you will be invited to meet with the researchers virtually and complete the questionnaires and tasks online.
Taking part in the study will involve working with the researchers for about 1 hour. You will be asked to complete some brief questionnaires about your personality and interests, any confirmed or suspected diagnoses you may have, what support and treatment you are currently receiving or have received in the past. You will then be asked to sort some cards about your thoughts, feelings, behaviours and events which were important to you before you self-harmed. We will also ask you about your mood before and after taking part in the task. Your reasonable travel expenses to and from the University will be reimbursed. We will also offer you a £10 high-street voucher as a thank you for taking part in the study.
If you would like more information about the study or would like to take part, please contact the lead researcher Dr. Sarah Cassidy and the research assistant Mirabel Pelton:
lp-mhautism@exmail.nottingham.ac.uk
Thank you for considering taking part in this research project.
Our Funder
INSAR
The International Society for Autism Research provides scientific collaboration, mentorship, and education to better the lives of the individuals and families living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
INSAR membership is open to individuals engaged in academic or research activities, graduate students and post doctoral researchers, and others vested in the study of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).
Mission Statement: To promote the highest quality research in order to improve the lives of people affected by autism.