shared by Healthwatch North Somerset
CASE STUDY – Parents views on how services offer support where their adult son or daughter has Mental Health (MH) issues & High Functioning Autism (HFA) or Asperger’s Syndrome (AS)
Author: Cirlei Ioris, Public Health Master’s Degree dissertation. ‘What are the mental health needs of adults with Asperger Syndrome or High Functioning Autism? A parental perspective.’
This study is on adults with AS or HFA who suffer from at least one mental health problem such as severe social anxiety and depression. A number are diagnosed with suicidal ideation. They live with their parents. Parents’ views were explored on the impact of mental health problems, not only on their adult children with autism but also on the wider family. The aim is to add to understanding about the mental health needs of adults with AS/HFA, a group considered understudied and underserved. This research examined the support they’d received and the support they considered they would benefit from.