Co-designed yoga nidra targeting anxiety in autistic children: A mixed methods feasibility study.

Exploration of the Feasibility of an Autism Mental Health Massive Open Online Course

Autistic individuals experience higher rates of depression and anxiety compared with nonautistic individuals; however, there are few services and programs specifically tailored toward the needs of autistic adults. This study explored the feasibility of the free, globally available, co-designed “Autism and Mental Health” MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) as a potential tool to help reduce poor mental health outcomes, using the Bowen framework. Autistic researchers and community members co-produced the MOOC using strengths-based content exploring how cognitive and sensory processing affect mental health while accommodating challenges faced by autistic individuals. The researchers employed a multi-methods research design. Analysis of post-course survey data used descriptive statistics and thematic analysis of survey participant responses to open-ended questions. Between May 2023 and November 2024, 4350 learners enrolled in the MOOC, with 160 participating in the post-course survey. The results indicated that 94% of participants found the course useful, 96% reported that their skills and knowledge had increased, and 99% found the course engaging. Qualitative analysis of open-ended comments identified three themes: importance of autistic voice, need for understanding autism, and the importance of mode of delivery. The researchers determined that the MOOC meets the feasibility criteria to recommend the MOOC for further efficacy testing. The results demonstrate that the MOOC has potential significance for supporting the well-being of autistic individuals by upskilling autistic people, their families, and the professionals supporting them.

A mixed-methods feasibility pilot study of a psychoeducation program for caregivers of autistic children with type 1 diabetes.

INTRODUCTION Autism spectrum disorder is more prevalent in children with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) than the general population, and autistic children with T1D encounter additional challenges compared with children with either condition alone. This presents unique challenges for their caregivers, and key models emphasize the need for the expansion of social networks to support caregivers and improve their physical and mental health. The present study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a psychoeducation compassion-focused therapy (CFT)-based program developed for caregivers of autistic children with T1D. METHOD A total of 11 caregivers attended the program, delivered by an assistant psychologist and trainee clinical psychologist (both English-speaking), which included three 90-min psychoeducation workshops utilizing CFT principles to target caregivers' specific needs. Feasibility was evaluated using recruitment, attendance, retention, and data completion metrics, and a thematic analysis was completed on qualitative data collected in August 2023 from seven participants (six mothers and one grandmother). RESULTS The thematic analysis developed five themes, including perceived value from peer support, gaining knowledge, developing coping skills, managing emotional states, and long-term peer support. The metrics related to recruitment, attendance, and retention supported the feasibility of program delivery, along with moderate feasibility for research data collection. DISCUSSION The findings offer evidence for the feasibility of delivering the psychoeducation CFT-based program within U.K. health care services and perceived benefits in social support, well-being, and self-efficacy, which reflects the perceived usefulness and appropriateness of the program to the participants. Further research is required to improve data collection procedures and evaluate program effectiveness. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Mixed-Methods Exploratory Study on the Feasibility of a Yoga-Based Intervention for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Parents.

Fostering inclusion in clinical and research procedures in autistic youth through augmentative and alternative communication: a narrative review and a proposal for visual aids application in brain stimulation

Autistic children and adolescents often experience medical and neurocognitive co-occurrences that necessitate regular healthcare monitoring. Language difficulties, often observed in autistic individuals, can impede effective communication and participation in medical settings, potentially reducing treatment compliance. Communication barriers also pose challenges in involving autistic youth in research protocols, such as those including Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation (NIBS). Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) strategies could facilitate the participation of autistic individuals in both healthcare and research settings. This narrative review synthesizes the use of AAC to enhance compliance in healthcare and clinical research contexts for autistic children and adolescents. Findings suggest that AAC aids can reduce stress and anxiety, thereby improving adherence to healthcare protocols. However, no studies were identified that specifically address AAC’s role in enhancing compliance during clinical research procedures involving autistic children and adolescents. Based on the current literature, here we propose a set of AAC aids to improve understanding and compliance with NIBS in autistic individuals.

Reducing Parental Accommodation in Neurodiverse Families: Adaptation of a Digital Single-Session Intervention.

Families of children with neurodevelopmental disorders often face limited access to evidence-based mental health care and supports, despite a disproportionately high prevalence of co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety, among these children. This study aimed to adapt a digital single-session intervention (SSI) designed to reduce parental accommodation of child anxiety by incorporating direct feedback from parents of neurodiverse children. In December 2024, five online human-centered design workshops were conducted with six parents, who provided input on the intervention's content (e.g., clarity, relevance) and acceptability (e.g., language, confidence to make a change). Responses were systematically coded and analyzed using content analysis. Across workshops, parents emphasized the need for interventions to be practically relevant, emotionally validating, and reflective of daily caregiving experiences, where "every day can feel like a wrestling match." Participants also raised concerns about the term "accommodation," which carries a positive connotation within the disability communities. Based on this feedback, revisions included incorporating neurodiversity-specific examples and parenting strategies and using descriptions of rather than labeling parenting behaviors. Through lived experiences, caregiver feedback revealed important adaptations needed to enhance intervention effectiveness and acceptability. Co-designing SSIs with families has the potential to promote equitable access to evidence-based mental health care, and successful adaptations present a scalable framework for integrating SSIs into child mental health services across settings.

Understanding Autistic Adults’ Psychological Experiences of Anxiety Problems: A Qualitative Interview Study

Our understanding of psychological experiences of anxiety in autism could be improved if it were shaped by autistic individuals. However, anxiety research in autism often begins with cognitive conceptualisations drawn from neurotypical or non-autistic individuals. This qualitative study aimed to explore psychological experiences of anxiety using semi-structured one-to-one interviews with a diverse sample of 20 U.K.-based, autistic adults, aged 18–55 years. Transcripts were analysed using two complementary methods: conceptual content analysis, where existing theories were tested against the data with predefined codes; and reflexive thematic analysis, where meaning was constructed from the data while considering research subjectivity. Our sample highly endorsed existing cognitive constructs: intolerance of uncertainty (100% of participants), repetitive negative thinking (100%), attentional biases (70%) and intrusive mental imagery (70%). Some autism-specific characteristics were indicated. The endorsement of imagery is particularly striking given claims that autism is often associated with weak imagery. Autistic adults described the way in which being autistic interacted with anxiety, through psychological and lived experiences. Existing support for anxiety problems was deemed insufficient and may be improved by further refining our understanding of anxiety in autism through future quantitative and qualitative research. Lay Abstract Anxiety is a top priority for research for the autistic community. We could increase our understanding of what might contribute to anxiety problems in autism by speaking to autistic people and learning about the different experiences they have had. We interviewed 20 U.K.-based autistic adults (aged 18–55 years) and asked them about their anxiety problems, including how they felt about well-known ideas of what might be involved in anxiety in autism. We looked at the answers to the interviews in two ways. The first way considers what autistic people think about the well-known ideas. The second way looks at similarities in the answers that autistic people gave. All participants’ anxiety problems involved repeated negative thoughts and struggling with uncertain situations. Most also said that they tend to focus on noises or other sensory experiences within their environment and imagine situations in their mind when they are anxious. Being autistic came with challenges that could make them more anxious, including struggling with changes to routine and being bullied. Autistic people described how anxiety made their life difficult and ways in which current support for anxiety is not helpful enough. We discuss ways that we could better understand anxiety in autism and improve the support given to autistic people.