People who work with autistic and other neurodivergent children, teens and adults need understand that the social and sensory struggles they face is real and very impactful to their success. However, there is not a unanimous opinion about how to improve their quality of life. Those who are dedicated to the support of autistic individuals need to agree on a unified, integrative approach that honors the sovereignty of the autistic neurotype, while at the same time validating that they need to shift to a more holistic model that positively impacts their lives.
How we answer the following questions, put forth by the James Lind Alliance (JLA) Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) will help guide our systems of support:
Which interventions improve mental health or reduce mental health problems in autistic people? How should mental health interventions be adapted for the needs of autistic people?
Which interventions are effective in the development of communication/language skills in autism?
What are the most effective ways to support/provide social care for autistic adults?
Which interventions reduce anxiety in autistic people?
Which environments/supports are most appropriate in terms of achieving the best education/ life/ social skills outcomes in autistic people?
How can parents and family members be supported/educated to care for and better understand an autistic relative?
How can autism diagnostic criteria be made more relevant for the adult population? And how do we ensure that autistic adults are appropriately diagnosed?
How can we encourage employers to apply person-centered interventions & support to help autistic people maximize their potential and performance in the workplace?
How can sensory processing in autism be better understood?
How should service delivery for autistic people be improved and adapted in order to meet their needs?
What would you like to see as we continue to address social skills and sensory processing challenges of our autistic teens and adults?