Exploring the Factors of Suicidality in Individuals with Level One Autism Spectrum Disorder
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Authors
Callejas, Demetria
Issue Date
2026-04
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
Criminal Justice & Public Safety , Educational Leadership & Learning Lifelong , Healthcare Innovation & Delivery , Adult autism , suicidality , trauma
Alternative Title
Abstract
There is a lack of information about individuals with autism who are regularly experiencing suicidality. The problem addressed by this qualitative phenomenological study was to learn about the lived experience of individuals with level one autism who have experienced suicidality. The purpose of this study was to learn about the factors that led to the high prevalence of suicidality, lived experiences of suicidality, and the factors of suicidality that are experienced by individuals with autism. Data was collected through recorded phone calls during semi-structured interviews that were linked to the problem, purpose, and research questions. A total of seven clients’ experiences were shared by their therapists from the states of Washington, Wisconsin, California and Oregon. The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide states that individuals process through at least three stages to suicide: thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and acquired capability (Joiner, 2005). Mental health professionals and researchers are impacted by the individualized information gathered, and how the clients with autism in this study did not process through the suicidality theory as expected. Future research is needed in this area. Mandated reporters are impacted by this study due to the childhood trauma and abuse. These experiences led to suicidality for every client and effected adult relationships significantly. Mental health and healthcare professionals are impacted by these results, and can learn what is needed when an individual with autism is experiencing suicidality. Creating access to suicide programs, individualizing questionnaires and intake forms at clinics and emergency rooms to include communication, poverty, abuse, and immigration issues will help with suicide prevention, especially for individuals with autism.