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Animals are increasingly being utilized to assist with therapies for people with various health conditions. Horses are often used as a mechanism of engagement and development for autistic children and adolescents. Horses offer a unique opportunity for interaction as the child or adolescent can physically ride and interact with the animal, thus creating a therapy that involves contact that is different to other animals. Benefits derived from equine-assisted therapies can be physical, social, behavioral, emotional, sensory, and cognitive. However, a current and specific research gap exists in understanding the potential mental health impacts of horse riding on autistic children and adolescents, as perceived and experienced by their parents, carers, and horse-riding service providers. This scoping review examined research on parents' and service providers' perceptions of the benefits of horse-related therapies, with a particular focus on perceptions of positive mental health impacts. A comprehensive electronic search across PubMed, Scopus and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature identified 16 articles from 15 studies which met the inclusion criteria. Findings included non-mental health-related benefits (as perceived by parents and service providers), mental health-related benefits (as perceived by parents and service providers), benefits for those other than the child/adolescent, and limitations of equine-assisted therapies. With the increased use of equine therapy, and the mounting evidence of its positive impacts on mental health, it is timely to expand research on how to better harness interventions and maximize the mental health benefits for autistic children and adolescents.

Despite legislative and policy mechanisms that promote inclusion in education for children with disabilities, many students still experience exclusion from the education setting. For example, autistic children are more likely than their neurotypical counterparts to be expelled or suspended from school or to refuse to attend school on an ongoing basis. This situation gives rise to various challenges for their parents. This discursive paper synthesizes current knowledge on school exclusion involving autistic children, including the causes and consequences of exclusionary practices. The paper also considers the negative impacts of these exclusionary practices on the emotional and psychological well-being of parents and caregivers. Mental health nurses who understand the issues related to school exclusion can better support the educational, social, and developmental needs of autistic children and the mental health needs of parents or caregivers.

Outcomes of discrimination for autistic people include masking, social isolation and exclusion, trauma, and mental health problems. This discursive paper discusses the discrimination experienced by autistic people in health, education, employment, and media settings; and considers how to reduce the impact of discrimination. Addressing the impact of discrimination requires an improved understanding of the lived experience of the autistic person, the embedding of inclusive practices in communities, developing the person's life skills and supports, and enabling the person to work through their psychological trauma. Further research can aid in minimizing and preventing discrimination against people with autism.

This scoping review brings together existing studies on the use of cats in animal-assisted interventions, as assistance animals and as companion animals for autistic people. A systematic search across PubMed, CINAHL and Scopus in September 2022 identified 13 articles from 12 studies meeting the selection criteria with analysis revealing two key findings, cat-assisted therapeutic interventions, and cats as companion animals. There were five themes that emerged: the characteristics and behaviours of cats that make them suitable for inclusion in homes with autistic people; the bond between the cat and the autistic person; the use of cats as human-substitutes; the multiple ways in which cats improved the lives and social functioning of autistic people; and, some noted drawbacks or considerations of cat ownership. The review generates a comprehensive knowledge base upon which to promote feline therapy in autism and to advocate for further targeted research.

Autism spectrum conditions are a group of neurodevelopmental conditions that carries an array of co-occurring diagnoses, including a heightened risk of suicide attempts and suicide. This scoping review examined primary research focusing on autism and suicidality, to understand what is currently known on the topic, including how autism changes the presentation of suicidal thoughts and behavior; and to assess the suicide awareness and prevention education programs currently available for autistic people, their families, and health professionals and support workers. A comprehensive search (November 2021) across Scopus, PubMed and CINAHL identified 39 articles from 38 studies. Three themes emerged, with five subthemes. 1. The prevalence of suicidality in autistic people; 2. The presentation of suicidality in autistic people, including (a) risk of suicidality; (b) gender, age, employment and education; (c) co-occurring psychiatric conditions; (d) autism traits and social communication; (e) intellectual disability; and 3. Autism-specific approaches to suicidal thoughts, behavior and prevention. Findings were mixed, including conflicting evidence on the risk of autism and suicidality, and limited evidence of resources related to autism-specific suicide awareness or information, and education or prevention programs.

Given the higher rates of co-occurring mental health issues experienced by autistic people, there is a pressing need to implement an effective framework that integrates autism services with appropriate mental health services. This paper discusses the impact of mental illness on the person with autism and their families, and the current challenges they face when accessing mental health support. A framework for service providers is proposed to support the mental health needs and preferences of autistic people. The paper concludes by highlighting the importance of health professionals utilising mental health interventions appropriate for autistic people, including autism-specific suicide prevention and awareness programs.

For people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the risk of mental illness, including suicidality, has a higher prevalence than the general population. This scoping review explored how people with ASD access suicide hotlines/crisis support services; and current approaches to delivering mental health services (MHS) to people with ASD. A search identified 28 studies meeting the selection criteria with analysis revealing four key findings. The support received by the person with ASD influenced how they accessed MHS; people often encounter barriers to accessing MHS; a separation exists between autism and MHS; and no studies on accessing or delivering MHS through crisis hotlines. The presence of such autism-specific crisis hotlines and the dearth of studies suggest a void in the existing research.