Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany.
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Germany.
Autism. 2022 Aug;26(6):1509-1521. doi: 10.1177/13623613211057973. Epub 2021 Nov 26.
Most autistic adults experience mental health problems. There is a great demand for psychotherapeutic support that addresses the specific needs of autistic individuals. However, people with autism encounter difficulties trying to access diagnostic and therapeutic services. This study was conducted by a participatory autism research group: a group in which autistic individuals and scientists collaborate. The group developed a questionnaire for psychotherapists in Germany to assess their knowledge about autism. Psychotherapists also rated their ability to diagnose and treat autistic patients without intellectual disability, and patients with other psychological diagnoses. Many of the 498 psychotherapists that responded reported little knowledge and outdated beliefs about autism, as well as little training on treating patients with autism. Their expertise about other psychological conditions was more comprehensive. However, many psychotherapists were interested in professional training on autism. Those with more knowledge were also more open to treating autistic patients. In conclusion, psychotherapists' lack of knowledge and expertise seem to be a major barrier for adults with autism to receiving helpful psychotherapeutic support. The results demonstrate the need for an advancement in autism education during psychotherapists' training and in continuous education.
大多数自闭症患者都存在心理健康问题。他们非常需要心理咨询方面的支持，以满足自闭症患者的特殊需求。然而，自闭症患者在寻求诊断和治疗服务时遇到了困难。本研究由一个参与式自闭症研究小组开展：这是一个由自闭症患者和科学家共同合作的小组。该小组为德国的心理咨询师开发了一份问卷，以评估他们对自闭症的了解程度。心理咨询师还评估了他们诊断和治疗非智力障碍自闭症患者以及其他有心理诊断患者的能力。在做出回应的 498 名心理咨询师中，有许多人报告说他们对自闭症的了解有限，且存在一些过时的观念，同时他们接受过的自闭症患者治疗方面的培训也很少。他们对其他心理状况的了解则更为全面。然而，许多心理咨询师对自闭症方面的专业培训很感兴趣。那些拥有更多自闭症相关知识的心理咨询师也更愿意治疗自闭症患者。总体而言，心理咨询师的知识和专业技能的缺乏似乎是自闭症患者获得有益心理咨询支持的主要障碍。研究结果表明，需要在心理咨询师的培训和继续教育中，提高自闭症方面的教育水平。
