NICE Guidance on Coexisting Mental Disdorder in Adults on the Autism Spectrum

The following extracts are from "Autism in adults: diagnosis and management." (2012). London: NICE.

Interventions for Coexisting Mental Disorders

9.5.1.1 Staff delivering interventions for coexisting mental disorders to adults with autism should:

• have an understanding of the core symptoms of autism and their possible impact on the treatment of coexisting mental disorders
• consider seeking advice from a specialist autism team regarding delivering and adapting these interventions for people with autism.

Psychosocial interventions for coexisting mental disorders

9.5.1.2 For adults with autism and coexisting mental disorders, offer psychosocial interventions informed by existing NICE guidance for the specific disorder.

9.5.1.3 Adaptations to the method of delivery of cognitive and behavioural interventions for adults with autism and coexisting common mental disorders should include:

• a more concrete and structured approach with a greater use of written and visual information (which may include worksheets, thought bubbles, images and 'tool boxes')
• placing greater emphasis on changing behaviour, rather than cognitions, and using the behaviour as the starting point for intervention
• making rules explicit and explaining their context using plain English and avoiding excessive use of metaphor, ambiguity and hypothetical situations
• involving a family member, partner, carer or professional (if the person with autism agrees) to support the implementation of an intervention
• maintaining the person's attention by offering regular breaks and incorporating their special interests into therapy if possible (such as using computers to present information).

Pharmacological interventions for coexisting mental disorders

9.5.1.4 For adults with autism and coexisting mental disorders, offer pharmacological interventions informed by existing NICE guidance for the specific disorder.

Related Pages

• NICE Guidance on Adults
• NICE Guidance
• Publications

Related Publications

• National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2012) Autism in adults: diagnosis and management. London: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Read Full (New Window)
  
  

Quick link:

https://informationautism.org/nice-guidance-adults-coexisting-mental-disorders

Updated

23 Aug 2021