Autistic people experience far higher rates of anxiety, depression and other psychiatric conditions, yet they’re significantly less likely to access timely, effective support. There's a large care gap.

Let’s unpack the data and more importantly, explore how to help autistic individuals get the support they need, whether that’s for yourself, a loved one or someone in your care.

The Scale of the Challenge

Anxiety and depression are far more common in autistic people. Meta-analyses show that 23–37% of autistic adults experience depression and 27–42% experience anxiety. For comparison, the global rates in the general population sit around just 3.8% and 4.1% respectively.

Other mental health conditions are also disproportionately common:

• ADHD: ~28% prevalence​
• OCD: ~9% prevalence
• Bipolar disorder: ~5% prevalence​
• Schizophrenia spectrum disorders: ~4% prevalence​

Across the board, research shows that autistic adults are 8 to 10 times more likely to be diagnosed with psychiatric conditions than their non-autistic peers, even after accounting for other variables like age and socioeconomic status​.

Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Khurram Sadiq notes:

“Closing the gap in the barriers that Autistic people currently face when seeking support is a complex issue, especially when considering whether someone has a formal diagnosis or not. For those who haven't been diagnosed, even just sitting in a GP waiting room can be overwhelming with too much noise and too much happening at once. Sensory-friendly spaces or quiet rooms are essential."

A patient story from Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Khurram Sadiq:

"I had a patient with AuDHD and we tried to schedule an appointment five or six times. Each time, something in the room like a ticking clock or background noise would cause distress. Eventually, I suggested we meet in the park. We walked and talked, and it turned out to be a revolutionary experience. She opened up completely, without the anxiety felt before."

The Barriers to Support

Despite the higher need, autistic individuals are less likely to receive help. And when they do, it often doesn’t meet their needs.

Here’s why.

Communication and sensory barriers

Many autistic adults report difficulty booking GP appointments by phone (62%, vs 16% of non-autistic people), feeling misunderstood by clinicians (56% vs 13%), and facing sensory overwhelm in healthcare settings​.

Poorer outcomes from existing services

Autistic adults score lower across 50 of 51 quality-of-care indicators compared to non-autistic peers, suggesting that even when services are accessed, they often fall short​.

IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) referral rates don’t match the need, and when therapy is accessed, outcomes tend to be poorer.

Cultural and systemic inequality

Autistic people, particularly from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds, face even steeper barriers, including stigma, delays in diagnosis and lack of culturally competent support​.

Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Simmi Sachdeva-Mohan, explains the key adaptations she makes when supporting autistic individuals with anxiety or depression:

“One of the main struggles for Autistic people is forming relationships because they don’t understand social cues. This in turn can lead to depression and anxiety. An individual may become hyper-focused on a relationship and misunderstand the cues which can make the other person feel uncomfortable. For example, sometimes they might try to diffuse a situation with humour which may not be an appropriate response in that situation. 

Teaching a patient new skills around how to communicate, understand social cues and when humour is and is not appropriate can be incredibly impactful. This helps them understand their relationships and reduce the social anxiety that they feel.”

So What Can We Do?

If you’re autistic and struggling with your mental health, or if you’re supporting someone who is, here are some practical steps to take:

Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Khurram Sadiq explains:

"Many Autistic individuals experience intense sensory overload. They may find it difficult to interact with people or even be in social environments. For GP appointments, staff need proper training in neurodiversity and appointments should be scheduled during quieter times of the day. Without accommodations like quiet rooms or reduced sensory input, even small things such as the beep of a machine, fluorescent lighting,or subtle background sounds can become overwhelming.”

1. Recognise the signs

You don’t need to “tick every box” to seek support. Changes in sleep, appetite, motivation, energy or mood, especially when they persist, may be worth exploring with a mental health professional.

2. Find services that understand neurodivergence

Look for practitioners or platforms with deep experience in autism. Services that offer neurodiversity-informed support (like Augmentive) can help tailor treatment plans that actually work with your brain.

3. Plan for the appointment

If communicating by phone is difficult, ask if there are alternatives like email or online booking. Bringing notes or written summaries to sessions can help you feel clearer and more in control.

4. Advocate for reasonable adjustments

You have the right to ask for things that make healthcare more accessible such as quieter waiting areas, clearer communication and breaks during sessions. These are not “extras”; they are reasonable adjustments under the law.

5. Don’t wait for crisis

Support isn’t just for the tough moments. Regular check-ins, therapy, medication reviews or even community connection can be game-changers in building long-term wellbeing.

The Bigger Picture

Autistic people are experiencing a mental health crisis. But this isn’t about broken minds – it’s about broken systems.

To fix it, we need to rethink access, rework communication and build services that truly understand divergent minds. Whether you’re navigating it yourself or walking alongside someone who is, support should feel clear, compassionate and tailored.

Because when we remove the barriers, brilliant minds move forward.

Need support now? Augmentive offers fast, expert-led assessments and personalised care plans for autism, ADHD, AuDHD and co-occurring conditions – with psychiatrists, therapists and coaches who truly understand neurodivergence. Learn more here.