While approximately 1 in 5 adolescents ages 12–19 experience anxiety or depression, rates may be higher among autistic youth, who are more likely to experience bullying, social isolation and household instability.
However, the true prevalence remains unclear because autistic adolescents are less likely to be screened and often face barriers when completing traditional assessments.
“The reason we don’t have a precise estimate is that, compared to their nonautistic peers, autistic adolescents are less likely to be screened for anxiety and depression, and when they are, we often see more variable responses,” said Celeste Campos-Castillo, associate professor of media and information in the Michigan State University College of Communication Arts and Sciences.