Suicidality in Autism Spectrum Conditions: Setting priorities for future research

Session Chairs: Sarah Cassidy (Coventry University, UK), Jacqui Rodgers (Newcastle University, UK), Mikle South (Brigham Young University, US), Lori McIlwain (National Autism Association co-founder and board chair, autism advocate). Trainee Co-Leaders: Magda Glod and Kathryn Cook Recent research has shown high rates of suicidal thoughts, behaviors, and completed suicides in people with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC). Systematic reviews have highlighted methodological weaknesses in the limited number of available studies; small non-representative samples, unconfirmed ASC diagnosis, lack of valid measures or attention to risk and protective factors. This impedes development of new theories and interventions to understand and reduce suicide risk in ASC. This SIG therefore aims to identify priorities for future research and training, and develop new collaborations, in order to increase the amount, pace, quality, scale and scope of suicidality in ASC research. The session will begin with quick fire presentations on the current state of the evidence. Small working groups will then identify the most important question for future research to address. A chaired large group discussion will then focus on prioritizing the proposed research questions, and what specific next steps are needed to realize these. The trainee co-leads will summarize the outcomes of the SIG, discuss and identify training needs and career opportunities in this area, and match students with group members with similar interests.