"Changing approaches to interventions for autistic adults" (and what that means for many autisms)

Changing approaches to interventions for autistic adults

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wps.21282

An article that covers quite a bit of ground including mention of profound autism and an important quote: "While this term has generated considerable criticism, especially within the neurodiversity movement, it underscores the fact that, for some adults, autism can have a profound negative impact on quality of life. Moreover, because these individuals are rarely involved in research, knowledge about effective interventions is limited, and risks of maltreatment (including excessive use of medication and restraint) are high." 

So yes, we need to think more about how to include those with profound/severe autism in research and importantly, the translation of that research into practice to improve quality of life, bearing in mind, their needs are probably going to be different from other individuals/groups across the plural autisms. 

And more than ever, we need to be looking at ways to separate out and redefine the massive heterogeneity that the autisms encompass as a priority.

I know the word 'intervention' carries quite a lot of emotion for some, but as we've seen in recent days, there is a need for intervention for some on the autism spectrum - and specifically some of the more able parts of the autism spectrum - particularly in the context of things like emotion dysregulation and aggression (not a dirty word) and where that can unfortunately lead e.g. Teenager guilty of murdering Elianne Andam https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqldr37n2xxo and Neo-Nazi satanist jailed for encouraging suicide online and possessing terror material https://news.sky.com/story/neo-nazi-satanist-cameron-finnigan-jailed-for-encouraging-suicide-online-and-possessing-terror-material-13289400 Also, with a really serious offence coming to trial next week already carrying a very unusual warning from the UK Attorney General https://www.gov.uk/government/news/media-advisory-notice-trial-of-axel-rudakubana there's going to be lots of discussion about the behavioural/psychiatric background of the accused and indeed, whether intervention should have already been in place: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gxlgpkj1vo

Such cases don't require sweeping generalisations but, where needed, intervention(s) for the safety of individuals and just as importantly, the safety of others.