What is the Autistic Mental Wellbeing approach?

In addition to other mental health interventions, we use the Autistic Mental Wellbeing approach for autistic young people with mental health difficulties. The approach can be useful as a complement to other mental health approaches, as it provides a framework to consider changes and adaptations to the environment, that in turn help to reduce situations that autistic young people may find distressing.

AIMS

Autistic Mental Wellbeing aims to:

• Reduce anxiety and stress for the young person and their family, by looking at environmental adaptations, and changes to the way others communicate with the young person

• Enhance positive emotional wellbeing and quality of life for the young person and their family

• Provide skills to help the young person meet their needs (this is also reflected in adapted CBT work)

• Give families and the wider system skills and strategies to support the young person

In CAMHS, we celebrate the young person’s neurodiversity. We believe in altering the environment and people’s responses, to meet the young person’s needs; to support their individuality and enhance their wellbeing.

The approach is based on best practice guidelines for autism, neuro-affirmative approaches which value the autistic person’s experience, and feedback from young people and their families. The Autistic Mental Wellbeing approach in CAMHS compliments other mental health interventions as is appropriate and provides the foundation for other support.