'Picking the Best of a Bad Bunch': Exploring Stakeholder Perspectives of Self-Harm Assessment Tools for Autistic Adults
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| Title: | 'Picking the Best of a Bad Bunch': Exploring Stakeholder Perspectives of Self-Harm Assessment Tools for Autistic Adults |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Victoria Newell (ORCID |
| Source: | Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. 2025 29(11):2791-2803. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 13 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Autism Spectrum Disorders, Adults, Self Destructive Behavior, Attitudes, Professional Personnel, Social Bias, Attitudes toward Disabilities, Comorbidity, Cognitive Ability, Barriers, Test Validity, Foreign Countries |
| Geographic Terms: | United Kingdom |
| DOI: | 10.1177/13623613251348555 |
| ISSN: | 1362-3613 1461-7005 |
| Abstract: | Autistic people are at greater risk of self-harm than non-autistic people, yet no tools exist specifically for assessing self-harm in this population. We therefore conducted two focus groups with autistic adults (n = 5) and professionals (n = 4) to examine their perspectives on three existing self-harm assessment tools (Non-Suicidal Self-Injury -- Assessment Tool, Inventory of Statements About Self-Injury and Questionnaire for Non-Suicidal Self-Injury). Using a reflexive thematic analysis, we found one overarching theme -- 'picking the best of a bad bunch' -- where participants acknowledged some strengths of the tools, but multiple limitations outweighed these. Subthemes included cognitive considerations (e.g. complexity, length, working memory demands, introspection), missing elements (e.g. broader self-harm behaviours, functions, context, support) and challenges in conceptualising self-harm, particularly around intentionality and stimming. Participants also stressed the importance of addressing stigma, considering co-occurring conditions like attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and intellectual disabilities and upholding a duty of care. Overall, findings show that existing self-harm assessment tools are not appropriate or acceptable for autistic adults who self-harm, indicating a clear need for a new self-harm assessment tool developed with and for autistic people. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1487346 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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| Abstract: | Autistic people are at greater risk of self-harm than non-autistic people, yet no tools exist specifically for assessing self-harm in this population. We therefore conducted two focus groups with autistic adults (n = 5) and professionals (n = 4) to examine their perspectives on three existing self-harm assessment tools (Non-Suicidal Self-Injury -- Assessment Tool, Inventory of Statements About Self-Injury and Questionnaire for Non-Suicidal Self-Injury). Using a reflexive thematic analysis, we found one overarching theme -- 'picking the best of a bad bunch' -- where participants acknowledged some strengths of the tools, but multiple limitations outweighed these. Subthemes included cognitive considerations (e.g. complexity, length, working memory demands, introspection), missing elements (e.g. broader self-harm behaviours, functions, context, support) and challenges in conceptualising self-harm, particularly around intentionality and stimming. Participants also stressed the importance of addressing stigma, considering co-occurring conditions like attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and intellectual disabilities and upholding a duty of care. Overall, findings show that existing self-harm assessment tools are not appropriate or acceptable for autistic adults who self-harm, indicating a clear need for a new self-harm assessment tool developed with and for autistic people. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1362-3613 1461-7005 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/13623613251348555 |
