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Suicidality Among Children and Youth With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review of Existing Risk Assessment Tools

  • S.I.: Suicidality and Self-harm in Autism
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Abstract

Individuals with autism are at heightened risk for experiencing suicidality compared to those without autism. Despite this, it is unknown what tools are used to assess suicide risk in research and clinical practice among children and youth with autism. This systematic review examined tools commonly used to measure suicidality in children and youth with and without autism spectrum disorder. Four databases were searched. We identified five tools (C-SSRS, PSS, SITBI, SIQ-JR, BSS) commonly used with youth in the general population; however, we did not identify any tools that were commonly used autistic children and youth. Results highlight the lack of available tools utilized to measure suicidality in autistic children and youth. We propose a framework to facilitate research to fill this gap.

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Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Panth Shah and Hangsel Sanguino for their help in preparation of this manuscript.

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  1. Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, EDT 508, University Dr. NW, Calgary, AB, T2N1N4, Canada

    Stephanie J. Howe, Katie Hewitt, Jessica Baraskewich & Carly A. McMorris

  2. Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

    Stephanie J. Howe, Katie Hewitt, Jessica Baraskewich & Carly A. McMorris

  3. School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

    Sarah Cassidy

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All authors contributed to the study conception and design. The literature search and data extraction was completed by SJH and KH. The first draft of the manuscript was written by SJH, KH CAM, and JB. SC edited and commented on the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Carly A. McMorris.

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Howe, S.J., Hewitt, K., Baraskewich, J. et al. Suicidality Among Children and Youth With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review of Existing Risk Assessment Tools. J Autism Dev Disord 50, 3462–3476 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04394-7

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