Therapeutic Supports in Autism: A Survey of Perspectives from Autistic Adults and Parents of Autistic Children

Autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder with diverse presentations, attracts a range of behavioural and biomedical therapeutic options that are varied and evolving. Within the therapeutic landscape there are vast and diverse experiences and perspectives held by the autism community. Enhancing our understanding of preferences for therapeutics within this community may improve service provision and ensure research aligns with supports that are most valued and/or least understood. We conducted a survey to capture lived experiences and perspectives, as well as attitudes to research into a wide range of behavioural and biomedical therapeutic supports for autism from both autistic adults (age: >18 years, n=374) and parents/guardians of autistic children/young people (age: <25 years, n=133). Perspectives from parents/guardians and autistic adults tended to converge on favourable attitudes toward individual counselling/psychology (AA:64.4%, PG:69.9% likely to access, AA:84.5%, PG:85.7% supportive of research), methylphenidate (AA:26.4%, PG:30.9% likely to access, AA:53.5%, PG:56.6% supportive of research), and cannabidiol (AA:20.2%, PG:23.3% likely to access, AA:66.5%, PG:59.4% supportive of research). Responses revealed lower relative favourability of Applied Behavioural Analysis (AA:26.4%, PG:27.8% likely to access, AA:51.5%, PG:50.7% supportive of research) compared with other behavioural therapeutic supports. Medical devices (AA:10.8%, PG:10.5% likely to access, AA:35.0%, PG:34.5% supportive of research) and dietary approaches (AA:15.5%, PG:19.6% likely to access; AA:37.0%, PG:49.6% supportive of research) were less favoured compared with other support categories. Support for clinical trials into a range of behavioural and biomedical therapeutic supports was demonstrated. The insights of this survey will guide healthcare providers, researchers, and policymakers in considering the diverse preferences of the autism community.