Project description

Autism is now considered a spectrum, the defining characteristics of which can be very marked or almost invisible. Adults without intellectual disability or speech onset delays are at one end of the autism spectrum severity continuum. Increasing numbers of previously undiagnosed adults are consulting psychiatrists, searching for answers as to why they have always felt different from their peers. Furthermore, people on the autism spectrum are at increased risk of having a depressive or anxiety disorder. However, mental health services are not adapted to serve this clientele, and are often poorly trained in working with adults on the spectrum.

Adults with autism are also sometimes referred to rehabilitation or special education services. These services have mainly developed expertise in working with autistic people of minimal verbal capacity, or who also have an intellectual disability. Thus, autistic people without intellectual disability or language delay face a lack of service adapted to their needs. There is an urgent need to develop psychotherapeutic techniques or approaches that meet their needs.

To do this, this project will start with a review of the gray literature (practice guidelines, publications in the form of books, etc.) and with a systematic PRISMA review of the literature on psychotherapeutic approaches to autism spectrum disorder without intellectual disability or speech onset delays. These approaches will be critiques, and proposals will be made for psychotherapeutic approaches, and adaptations of existing models.

The development of a psychotherapeutic approach adapted to the peculiarities of autistic adults without intellectual disabilities or speech delays will make it possible to offer adequate and accessible mental health care to a clientele for which there are currently no services.