Absolutely! People with Autism experience all the same types of mental health difficulties that anyone else experiences. In fact, having Autism puts people at increased risk of mental health difficulties. Estimates vary, but one study found that 40% of children with Autism also meet criteria for an anxiety disorder , compared to about 10-20% of children in the general population.
Mental health problems in Autism, despite being common, are often overlooked or undertreated. There are many reasons why people with Autism don’t access mental health treatment, but one of the reasons is that therapists are not always confident about how to adapt their therapies to meet the needs of people with Autism. At Eastwood Psychologists, our experienced, regulated psychologists and psychotherapists are knowledgeable about accommodations that help children and adults with Autism access, and benefit from, psychotherapy and counselling. Please reach out to us for more information!