A comparison of the content and nature of worries of autistic and neurotypical young people as they transition from school

Abstract

The prevalence of anxiety is higher in autistic young people, compared to neurotypical youths. However, the nature of worry in autistic young people is under-researched. Transition from secondary school is a time of change and can be challenging for autistic adolescents. This project explored the content and emotional impact of worries in neurotypical and autistic young people during transition. Twenty-two autistic people and 22 neurotypical people, aged 16–18, were recruited from mainstream schools. Participants completed a novel task to identify and explore the nature of their main worries. The participants’ worry frequency and distress levels in relation to their most salient concerns, and their anxiety levels, were measured. Content analysis highlighted similarities and differences between the two groups’ worries. Both groups worried about failure and their prospects of further education. Autistic people were more concerned about change and friendship, whereas more salient worries for neurotypical individuals were about work and money. Autistic people were more distressed by their worries than neurotypical individuals. Findings regarding the nature of autistic young people’s worries may help inform interventions. Moreover, asking autistic people about their worries as they leave school may help to address their concerns, ease their transition and reduce distress. Lay abstract Autistic young people experience higher levels of anxiety than neurotypical young people. Having worries is part of feeling anxious. This makes it surprising that very little research has looked at the kind of worries autistic young people have. Leaving school, in particular, can be a worrying time for young people. Twenty-two autistic young people and 22 neurotypical young people who were at mainstream secondary schools agreed to take part in the study. They were between 16 and 18 years of age. They were asked to sort through a series of pictures, showing the different types of worries that young people might experience. They were then asked to pick out their four main worries and say how much they thought about each worry and how upset the worry made them. They also completed a questionnaire about their level of anxiety. There were similarities and differences between the autistic and neurotypical young people’s worries. Both groups worried about failing and how they might get on in further education. The autistic young people were more worried about change and friendships. Work and money were particular concerns for the neurotypical young people. The autistic young people said that they found their worries more upsetting than the neurotypical young people. Having a better understanding of autistic young people’s worries at important points in their lives might mean that more timely help and support can be given to them. Simply knowing what to ask young autistic school leavers about may help them to express unspoken concerns.