Why do autistic teenagers experience depression?
Autistic teenagers have a greater risk of low mood and depression than their peers.
This is because autistic teenagers might:
- realise that they’re ‘different’ from their peers
- find it hard to cope with increasing academic pressure and expectations
- find it hard to understand social rules or expectations and make friends.
These social difficulties can lead to feelings of isolation or loneliness, which might cause or worsen depression in autistic teenagers.
Autistic teenagers can also experience anxiety more intensely and more often than other children.
What are the signs of depression in autistic teenagers?
Autistic teenagers generally show the same symptoms of depression as their peers.
But they might also:
- have more frequent or more severe repetitive or compulsive behaviour
- start to have or have more meltdowns or aggressive behaviour
- start to be or be more irritable or agitated
- start hurting themselves or hurt themselves more often – for example, with hand-biting
- find it harder than before to do everyday things in different situations or environments
- lose interest in their special interests or things that previously brought them joy
- be obsessed with death or talk about suicide or self-harm.
If you’ve noticed these signs at home, it’s a good idea to ask your child’s teachers whether they’ve noticed them at school too. The teachers might be able to give you some insight into your child’s change in mood. For example, they can tell you about how your child is going socially at school, how they’re relating to peers or whether they’re finding schoolwork too hard.
If your child tells you they want to hurt themselves or want to die, seek professional help as soon as possible. Call Lifeline on 131 114 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 or encourage your child to call. If your child is willing to go, take them to the emergency department at your nearest hospital.
Where to get help for autistic teenagers with signs of depression
If you’re concerned about your autistic child’s low mood or your think your child has depression, talk to your GP or paediatrician. They can refer you to a psychologist, psychiatrist or other health professional who can help your child.
Depression is unlikely to go away on its own, but it can be treated.
Your child might be able to get Medicare rebates for up to 10 sessions with a mental health professional each calendar year. To get these rebates, your child will need a mental health treatment plan from a GP or a referral from a psychiatrist or paediatrician.
How to help autistic teenagers with depression: practical strategies
If your autistic child has low mood or depression, there are practical things you can do as part of everyday life. These include:
- the ‘thought detectives’ strategy
- ‘the worst thing’ strategy
- support for social interactions
- lifestyle changes.
‘Thought detectives’ strategy
You might notice your autistic child focusing on negative thoughts. In this situation, encourage your child to be a ‘thought detective’.
This involves finding facts that support your child’s negative thoughts and facts that don’t. Then you can help your child to compare and contrast these facts.
How to use the ‘thought detectives’ strategy
Here’s an example of using this strategy for a negative thought like ‘Nobody likes me’:
- Get your child to list all the people who do like your child and how they know. For example, ‘Mum likes me because she cooks my meals and tells me she loves me’.
- Get your child to list the people your child thinks don’t like them and how they know. For example, ‘Ben doesn’t like me because he doesn’t hang out with me’.
- Ask your child questions like ‘Have you ever asked Ben to hang out with you? What did he say?’
You can adapt the strategy for other negative thoughts.
‘The worst thing’ strategy
If your autistic child gets stuck on negative thoughts, try asking your child what they think is the worst thing that could happen. Then you could talk about whether the ‘worst’ is actually that bad.
How to use ‘the worst thing’ strategy
You could use this strategy for a negative thought like ‘If I give a wrong answer in class, everyone will laugh and think I’m dumb’.
In this situation, you could ask, ‘Would that be the worst thing ever? Would the class remember that you gave the wrong answer the next day or week?’
You can adapt the strategy for other negative thoughts.
Support for social interactions
If your autistic child is feeling isolated or lonely, you can help your child build skills and confidence for healthy friendships and social interactions and relationships.
These tips might help:
- Help your child practise skills they want to develop for social activities and new or unexpected social situations. You and your child could practise using role play and turn-taking games. Playdates and interest-based clubs can also give your child opportunities to practise skills with their peers.
- Ask your child what helps them when they’re in a difficult social situation. Help them come up with a coping plan they can use if they’re feeling overwhelmed or sad.
- Validate your child’s emotions. For example, if your child is feeling overwhelmed or lonely, you can say, ‘I’m sorry you feel like nobody wants to spend time with you. That must feel so lonely’.
- Reassure your child that you’ll always be there to support them through whatever they’re facing.
- Tell your child about times when you’ve had similar experiences and feelings and how you coped.
Lifestyle changes and other options
Other things that might help your autistic child with depression include:
- a hobby like craft or photography
- social, recreational or educational activities outside of school like language or music classes
- a mentor or tutor to help your child cope with schoolwork demands
- healthy eating, good sleeping habits and physical activity.
Looking after yourself when your autistic child has depression
If your autistic child has depression, you might be focused on looking after your child. But it’s also important to look after your own health and wellbeing. When you’re well and healthy, you can help your autistic child grow and thrive.
You can look after yourself by eating healthy food, doing regular physical activity and getting as much rest as you can.
And if you feel overwhelmed or like you can’t cope, you might want to see your GP. They might refer you to a psychologist or another mental health professional who can help you find positive ways to manage your feelings.
Getting support from your local community can often be a big help too.