Autism and Suicide: Beyond Awareness to Urgent Action
Tragically, suicide is one of the leading causes of premature death among Autistic people. Research shows that Autistic adults are up to nine times more likely to die by suicide than the general population. For Autistic children, one study found they were 28 times more likely to think about or attempt suicide than their non-Autistic peers. And while Autistic people make up about 1% of the population, they account for 11% of suicides.
These figures are deeply concerning and prompt urgent, informed, affirming, and compassionate action.
Suicide in Autism: What We Know
The elevated risk of suicide among Autistic people is now well established. Studies from around the world (e.g., Sweden, Taiwan, the US, Australia) show a consistent pattern: Autistic individuals are significantly more likely to experience suicidal thoughts, behaviours, and death than non-Autistic people.
Meta-analyses indicate that Autistic adults are nearly four times more likely to experience suicidal thoughts or behaviours than their non-Autistic peers, with about 34% reporting suicidal ideation and around 24% having attempted suicide. These differences persisted even after accounting for demographic and psychosocial factors, highlighting that being Autistic, when combined with societal exclusion and systemic misunderstanding, represents a key risk pathway for suicidality.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among Autistic people, with average life expectancy being just 54 years, a number driven in part by premature death from suicide. Mental health challenges are also highly prevalent. Nearly 80% of Autistic adults and 70% of Autistic children experience at least one mental health condition, and 40% live with two or more. These are not isolated problems and are a large part why we founded The Kidd Clinic. They exist in a context of unmet support needs, inaccessible services, invalidation, and chronic exclusion.
Are Autistic Females at Greater Risk?
A frequently cited statistic suggests that Autistic women are 13 times more likely to die by suicide than non-Autistic women.
As Kirby, Conner, and Mazefsky (2024) point out, there is often confusion about who Autistic women are being compared to in such statements.
Current evidence shows that:
Autistic men and women have comparable rates of suicide death in population-wide studies, with some studies finding that more Autistic women complete suicide than Autistic men.
Autistic women may be underrepresented in suicide statistics, as many have not received an autism diagnosis.
Compared to non-Autistic women, Autistic women do have a higher relative risk, but this does not mean they are at a significantly higher risk than Autistic men.
For suicidal thoughts and behaviours, findings are mixed, highlighting the need for more research, particularly into the experiences of autistic women, nonbinary, and transgender people.
What is clear is that Autistic women face a much greater risk of suicide than women in the general population. This is not surprising given the high rates of missed or late diagnosis, the sustained demands of masking (often leading to burnout), and many years of being under-supported.
You can read more in our blog about burnout.
What Can We Do Now?
Remove Barriers to Mental Health Support
Recognise Autistic people (with or without intellectual disability) as a high-risk group in suicide prevention policy and clinical practice.
Ensure all post-diagnosis pathways include access to mental health screening and tailored interventions.
Increase access to
Improve access to diagnosis, particularly for adolescents, adults, and underdiagnosed groups such as women and trans/ gender-diverse people.
Improve access to affirming mental health services and supports.
Make Services Autistic-Affirming
Provide multiple ways to access mental health services.
Reduce sensory overload in therapeutic settings.
Offer longer-term support/ therapy sessions knowing that it can take more sessions to build therapeutic trust and safety than for non-Autistic clients.
Provide alternative methods of communication, intake, and support options to suit the individual’s neurotype.
Train medical staff and clinicians to understand the social model of disability, Autistic communication and relational styles, masking, and distress presentation.
In therapy, focus on building a positive Autistic identity, incorporating passions and strengths, strengthening social connections, and increasing self-compassion.
Identify areas of difficulty and appropriate supports to increase self-advocacy skills and engagement across settings.
Autistic people have consistently told us that when they’re feeling suicidal:
They may not show typical signs.
They may struggle to explain what they’re feeling.
They may not want, or be able, to talk about it.
So, we must:
Believe them when they say they’re struggling.
Ask specific, clear questions.
Observe behavioural signs of distress, withdrawal, burnout and depression.
Allow time for processing, responding, and engagement.
Avoid assumptions, presume competency, provide flexible and personalised support, and be responsive.
Why Suicide Prevention Day Matters
With Suicide Prevention Day Australia on September 10, now is the time to ask hard questions of our systems, our communities, and ourselves. As a private mental health practice that is not a crisis service, we cannot, and should not, be solely responsible for the safety of Autistic people at risk. Effective prevention requires a team around each person, including access to public inpatient and outpatient supports.
This year’s theme is “Changing the narrative on suicide”. It’s a call to shift from silence and stigma to openness, empathy and action, to ensure those who are struggling feel heard, supported, and connected. For Autistic people, creating hope means removing systemic barriers, supporting communication and relational differences, building inclusive mental health services, and showing that distress will be heard, without judgment, disbelief, or dismissal.
Suicide in Autism is not inevitable. But preventing it requires more than awareness. It requires inclusivity in systems (schools, mental health services, workplaces, and the general community), investment in accessible, appropriate and effective supports, and accountability.
If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs support:
Lifeline Australia – 13 11 14
Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636
Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800
Or contact your GP or local mental health service
References
Conner, C. M., Ionadi, A., & Mazefsky, C. A. (2023). Recent research points to a clear conclusion: Autistic people are thinking about, and dying by, suicide at high rates. Pennsylvania Journal of Positive Approaches, 12(3), 69–76. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38660330
Chang, J. C., Lai, M. C., Chang, S. S., & Gau, S. S. (2024). Factors mediating pre-existing autism diagnosis and later suicidal thoughts and behaviors: A follow-up cohort study. Autism. Advance online publication. doi.org/10.1177/13623613231223626
Kirby, A. V., Conner, C. M., & Mazefsky, C. A. (2024). The myth of autistic girls at greater suicide risk. Autism, 28(2), 361–364. doi.org/10.1177/13623613231220568
Hedley, D., Haschek, A., Brown, C., Batterham, P., Dwyer, P., Gibbs, V., Den Houting, J., John, T., Lawson, W., Rabba, A. S., Revill, J., Robinson, J., Santomauro, D., Staheli, N., Stokes, M., Templin, C., Trollor, J. N., & Wilson, J. (2025). Suicide in Autism: Research Evidence and Policy Brief. La Trobe University. doi.org/10.26181/26401519.v1
