Inaugural research leads to new award-winning therapeutic tool for clinicians and healthcare providers.

Australian researchers from the Aspect Research Centre for Autism Practice (ARCAP) have uncovered a life-altering link between the ability of autistic adults to be self-compassionate and their capacity to regulate emotions, which many people on the autism spectrum find difficult.

This is the first research study globally to explore self-compassion in autistic adults and its potential significance for improving mental health and psychological wellbeing, and it is attracting interest from researchers and clinicians worldwide.

The pioneering research has informed the development of a new, online self-compassion program, Aspect Self-Compassion Program for Autistic Adults (ASPAA), which saw positive shifts in autistic adults’ emotions during trials.

Autistic adults can register to access the free program, which includes modules to learn what self-compassion is and is not, along with guided daily exercises to improve self-compassion skills.

A clinician version of ASPAA has also been developed for therapists, counsellors, clinicians, psychologists and mental health professionals that includes additional instructions to allow clinicians to tailor the modules to best support their clients.

Dr Ru Ying Cai, postdoctoral researcher at ARCAP, says when autistic adults are supported and taught ways to improve self-compassion, the positive impact on their mental health and ability to regulate emotions can be life-changing.

‘In a nutshell, practising self-compassion is learning to be your own best friend,’ Dr Cai says.

‘We found that after completing the online program, participants’ overall self-compassion levels moved from low to moderate. In addition, their number of positive emotions increased significantly, and their symptoms of anxiety and depression and emotion regulation difficulties decreased significantly.

‘While our study focused on autistic adults, it is plausible that teaching and encouraging self-compassion in children and youth diagnosed on the autism spectrum will lead to better psychological outcomes in their adult lives.’

Initial research findings found that of 153 autistic adults and 93 non-autistic adults, as a group autistic adults scored lower on self-compassion and positive wellbeing and higher on anxiety and depression than non-autistic adults.

In fact, 50% of autistic adults scored low on self-compassion versus 8% of non-autistic adults, and only 7% of autistic adults scored high on self-compassion versus 49% of non-autistic adults.

Dr Belinda Ratcliffe, CEO and director of training and clinical services at the Emotions Clinic Australia, says compassion-focused therapy, adapted specifically for autistic adults, is groundbreaking.

‘In my experience, many autistic people experience a strong inner critic and sense of shame from feeling different and often alone, in a world designed for neuro-normative people,’ says Dr Ratcliffe. ‘There is a profound lack of autistic adaptations of mainstream psychological therapies, especially for adults, so the development of an autism-specific program that incorporates mindful self-compassion and compassion-focused therapy is a potential game changer.

‘My team of clinicians have begun implementing ASPAA with autistic clients, who have engaged well with the structure and have benefited from seeing autistic voices represented during the program. It is easily incorporated into existing therapy in a way that helps support, resource and empower autistic adults to meet their individual goals.’

Trials of ASPAA among a group of 39 autistic adults over a 5-week period showed participants became significantly more self-compassionate, had more positive emotions and higher psychological wellbeing, and had fewer negative emotions and fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Research participant Deborah Hunter said the program was life-changing and provided a new type of psychological resilience during times of distress or anxiety.

‘There is such value in practising self-care but it’s not something that has come easy to me, as being self-critical when I make mistakes or fail is my natural default,’ said Ms Hunter. ‘Being kinder to myself helps me to navigate my emotions and the more I actively practise self-compassion the more I develop, which makes me feel happier and more confident and positive overall.’

About Aspect and ARCAP

Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) is Australia’s largest autism-specific service provider, with one of the world’s biggest autism-specific education programs. A not-for-profit organisation, Aspect works in partnership with people of all ages on the autism spectrum and their families to deliver distinct services, practices and research that recognise a different kind of brilliant – understanding, engaging and celebrating the strengths and interests of people on the autism spectrum.

The Aspect Research Centre for Autism Practice (ARCAP) is the research arm of Aspect. It conducts participatory research that is translated into respectful, proven practices to positively impact the lives of autistic people, and those of their families and carers.

Resources

Aspect Self-compassion Program for Autistic Adults (ASPAA):

Aspect’s first autism and self-compassion study: Pilot study of ASPAA

Journal article:

Edwards, C., Gibbs, V., Love, A. M. A., Brown, L., & Cai, R. Y. (2024). A qualitative exploration of an autism-specific self-compassion program: The ASPAA. Autism, 28(6), 1419-1430.
DOI: 10.1177/13623613241234097

Access to the ASPAA Trainings:

More information

Seeking more background information? Watch this 2021 webinar for background.

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