Describing the Communication of Autistic People during Experiences of Distress: A Scoping Review
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| Title: | Describing the Communication of Autistic People during Experiences of Distress: A Scoping Review |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Karys Oldenburg, Tasia Gibbons, Christie Welch, Ami Tint (ORCID |
| Source: | Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. 2026 30(4):884-900. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 17 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Information Analyses Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Autism Spectrum Disorders, Stress Variables, Interpersonal Communication, Anxiety, Nonverbal Communication, Affordances, Barriers, Foreign Countries |
| Geographic Terms: | United States, United Kingdom, Australia, France, Germany, Austria, Canada |
| DOI: | 10.1177/13623613261417933 |
| ISSN: | 1362-3613 1461-7005 |
| Abstract: | Autistic people can experience distress for many reasons. Some of these reasons may include unsupportive environments; experiences of trauma; sensory overload; burnout, inertia, meltdown and shutdown; pain; and mental health diagnoses such as anxiety. Little is known about how distress can impact communication and what others can do to provide support in these moments. This scoping review explores how communication is described during experiences of distress for autistic people, including communication partner strategies to support these interactions. Following a comprehensive database search, 18 articles were included in this scoping review. Firsthand perspectives of autistic people were discussed in 10 studies. Distress was most often characterized by instances of anxiety and/or stress. Eleven studies discussed non-spoken methods of communication, including gestures, facial expressions and behavioural manifestations (e.g. hitting, screaming) during experiences of distress. Identified facilitators to communication during experiences of distress included the presence of a calm, supportive environment and communicative aids. Understanding the impact distress has on communication is beneficial to both autistic people and those who support them. This review contributes to the body of literature aiming to better understand and support autistic people during moments of distress. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1501028 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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| Abstract: | Autistic people can experience distress for many reasons. Some of these reasons may include unsupportive environments; experiences of trauma; sensory overload; burnout, inertia, meltdown and shutdown; pain; and mental health diagnoses such as anxiety. Little is known about how distress can impact communication and what others can do to provide support in these moments. This scoping review explores how communication is described during experiences of distress for autistic people, including communication partner strategies to support these interactions. Following a comprehensive database search, 18 articles were included in this scoping review. Firsthand perspectives of autistic people were discussed in 10 studies. Distress was most often characterized by instances of anxiety and/or stress. Eleven studies discussed non-spoken methods of communication, including gestures, facial expressions and behavioural manifestations (e.g. hitting, screaming) during experiences of distress. Identified facilitators to communication during experiences of distress included the presence of a calm, supportive environment and communicative aids. Understanding the impact distress has on communication is beneficial to both autistic people and those who support them. This review contributes to the body of literature aiming to better understand and support autistic people during moments of distress. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1362-3613 1461-7005 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/13623613261417933 |
