Autism spectrum disorder, also known as ASD or autism, affects approximately 1 in every 100 children across the United States. These youth have various stages of the disorder, each one coming with its own set of struggles.
As parents and guardians, it’s essential to be aware of how we can support children and teens with autism to help them cope with their day-to-day lives. Along with these support techniques, it’s also beneficial to be aware of local autism programs for youth struggling with mental health concerns.
Supporting Patients with Autism
Providing care for patients with autism has its own set of challenges, as these individuals often face a variety of struggles. Autistic patients are often underserved because of misunderstandings and the issues they’re trying to cope with on a daily basis.
Youth with autism often have social phobia, so they struggle in situations where there are larger groups, especially when they don’t know these people well. This can lead to worries about how they’ll be treated or even concerns about their own behavior. Oftentimes, this causes them to avoid social interactions altogether.
Some autistic youth struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which causes unreasonable fears or thoughts that negatively affect their ability to manage daily tasks. In other cases, they become hypervigilant or hyper-fixated on certain aspects of their life, and it’s difficult to pull them away from these things.
When it comes to supporting youth with autism, there are a handful of steps you can take. One of the best tactics is to set a routine schedule and follow it as closely as possible. People with autism spectrum disorder often like consistency, which makes a standard regimen helpful to their mental health.
They also benefit from visual cues, which help them better understand situations and what is expected of them. These cues often include mentally preparing them for specific situations, such as leaving the house, having visitors come over, going somewhere new, eating new foods, changing the order of a routine, and more.
Other helpful ways to support someone with ASD include developing skills and interests, practicing social skills, and using sensory tools.
Statistics About Autistic Youth with Mental Health Conditions
It is highly common for autistic youth to struggle with their mental health along with the symptoms of ASD. According to a recent study, approximately 78% of youth with autism have a minimum of one mental health concern. About 50% of them are known to have two mental health conditions or more.
On average, studies have shown nearly 15% of individuals with autism struggle with depression at some point in their lives. Additional disorders include OCD (22%) and eating disorders (8%).
The number of these youths who experience anxiety disorder is at nearly 40%, which is more than twice as common as those with depression. This extends to social anxiety, which may cause the individual to withdraw completely from social situations and cause lasting damage to relationships. In extreme cases, anxiety can lead to outbursts, aggression, and self-harm as well. However, if recognized early, proper treatment can prevent many of these more extreme reactions. Left untreated, mental health conditions in autistic youth often become worse as they reach adulthood.
New Special Needs Unit at Desert Parkway Behavioral Healthcare Hospital
Desert Parkway Behavioral Healthcare Hospital now offers a Special Needs Unit (SNU) at their facility. Autism programs are now available for youth between the age of 8 and 17 years old and provide a wide range of support.
The SNU offers assistance with psychiatric disorders, autism spectrum diagnosis, behavioral impairment support, impaired functionality, and protection for those who are a potential danger to themselves or others.
Contact the professionals at Desert Parkway Behavioral Healthcare Hospital today to learn more. We are here for your support.
