BARRIERS TO LEARNING: PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS RELATED TO THE RISK FACTORS FOR SUICIDE IN HIGH FUNCTIONING AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

We find scientific consensus on the imperious need for further research on diagnostic comorbidity in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The high number of cases of depression in this collective requires detect suicidal tendencies. Suicidal tendencies, in this group, many times they are related to an important barrier to learning: the bullying.

There are few studies on this topic in the Spanish-speaking countries. This, together with the existence of heterogeneous approaches in those made in English-speaking countries, raises the need for context studies based on the conclusions published in the scientific literature.

The aim of this paper is to present and later discuss the results of a review of the most current research studies published in the major international scientific databases on the subject of suicide in High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (HFASD). We emphasize the need for control and detection of suicidal tendencies. This has been chosen with the aim of improving both prevention, as detection and early intervention (in depression and of suicide attempting). This will allow us to clarify the most vulnerable target population.

Identify of the risk of suicide is difficult in this population and can lead to error. We know what suicidal attempts are very frequent in individuals with ASD, and this collective do not always makes it known to others when experiencing depressed moods and they do not provide information about themselves.

Consequently, it is imperative maintain a high level of suspicion during evaluation or intervention. This is especially important in spite of demonstrated idiosyncrasy in theirs alarm signals, and knowing that studies that investigate the variables related to depression in autism are rare and their findings are inconsistent. Therefore, it is necessary to pay special attention when there is a history of a recent change in the level of functioning, particularly around the time of puberty. That is why there is a need for specialised attention to prevent the possible appearance of depressive symptomatology, for early detection and for specific and early intervention if depression has appeared.

The paper ends by making a final plea for reflection in order to elaborate a final reflexive proposal, in agreement with the results we get from these analyses, that establishes possible future research paths, which will complement, refute or confirm the knowledge we have today.