Finding mental health care for autistic youth - Children's National

71% of autistic youth have at least one mental health condition, like anxiety or depression. Therapy is an important tool. It can help symptoms of depression and anxiety. Therapy can help youth gain skills that they need to improve their symptoms. It can be hard to know where to start when finding mental health services for autistic youth because there are many options. It is important to learn what types of care may work best and what the options are.

What are the types of mental health therapies?

There are many kinds of treatment for mental health. It's important to find mental health treatments that are evidence-based. Evidence-based means that research has demonstrated that it works. Some common types are:

• Behavioral therapy: Group of therapies that work to change behaviors linked to anxiety and depression
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Type of therapy that helps people learn to change negative thoughts. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most studied and evidence-based treatment for anxiety and depression in autistic youth. It uses ideas from behavioral therapy.
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): This type of therapy focuses on emotions. It teaches skills like emotion regulation and mindfulness. It is based on CBT.
• Group therapy: This type of therapy involves multiple people in one session. Group therapy often uses other types of therapy, like CBT.
• Parent-mediated therapy: This type of therapy teaches parents skills that they can use to support their child.
• Family-based treatments: This type of therapy means that a family works together to work through stress that may add to mental health issues.
• Other treatments include mindfulness and acceptance-based approaches.

What is neuro-affirming care and why is it important?

It helps to find a therapist or treatment team who accepts and affirms your child's autistic identity. This is called neuro-affirming care. Neuro-affirming care is care that:

• Respects your child's independence and boundaries
• Thinks of autism as a part of someone and not as something to be cured or "fixed"
• Identifies and builds on your child's strengths and interests

How do I find mental health treatment for my child?

• Talk to your child's pediatrician
• Use your insurance company's provider search tool
• Search online with terms like:
• "Therapists for autistic youth in DMV area"
• "CBT providers near me"
• "Neuro-affirming therapy DMV area"

How do I support the therapy process?

• Make sure that your child and their therapist have a good relationship
• Look for therapists who have worked with autistic youth
• Check in with your child's therapist on progress, such as every couple of weeks
• Try the therapy strategies at home with your child
• Support and affirm your child's neurodivergent identity at home

If your child is experiencing a mental health emergency, visit your nearest emergency room or call 988/911.

Other resources for crisis situations include: