Search

The study describes the development and preliminary psychometric validation of the Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale-Modified (SIDAS-M), a five-item assessment of suicidal ideation for use with autistic adults. Participants (n = 102 autistic adults; 58% women, 34% men, 8% nonbinary; M[subscript age] = 41.75, SD = 12.89) completed an online survey including the SIDAS-M at Time 1 and participated in follow-up interviews at Time 2 ([approximately equal to]111 days later). A single factor solution provided good to excellent fit to the data (comparative fit index = 0.961, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.921; standardized root mean square residual = 0.027), with all items showing good to excellent loadings (0.74-0.91). SIDAS-M total score ([omega]=0.930, bias-corrected and accelerated 95% confidence interval (BCa 95% CI) [0.90, 0.95]) demonstrated good convergent validity, correlating significantly with existing suicide specific ([rho]=0.442-0.698, p<0.001) and well-being measures ([rho]=0.325.-0.505, p[greater than or equal to]0.001), and good divergent validity. Logistic regression controlling for age, gender, and relationship status indicated that SIDAS-M scores at Time 1 significantly predicted suicidal behavior at Time 2, [beta] = 0.462, p < 0.001, [0.032, 0.068]. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated SIDAS-M has utility discriminating between participants classified at low or above low risk, area under the curve = 0.866, [0.767, 0.966], p < 0.001, with a cutoff score [greater than or equal to]1 providing a potentially useful indicator of increased suicidal risk. Overall, SIDAS-M demonstrated good psychometric properties when used with autistic adults without intellectual disability.

The efficacy of the Australian Disability Employment Services (DES) for autistic jobseekers has not been examined and is currently undergoing Government reform. To help inform the new DES strategy, we sought the views of: 24 autistic individuals; seven family members of autistic individuals, and; 46 DES employees. Data were collected using surveys and interviews. Data were analysed using Mann Whitney tests plus deductive thematic analysis based on Nicholas and colleagues' ecosystems model. Participants highlighted a need to adapt existing policies to enhance flexibility of the DES model. There was participant consensus that DES staff require specific education and training to meet the needs of autistic people. Suggestions to inform the new model of DES for autistic people are made.