Catatonia and Catatonia-like Experiences in Autism V0.1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
First-hand Accounts of Catatonia and Catatonia-like Experiences in Autism
IRAS ID
341533
Contact name
Orsolya Barabas
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Salomons Institute of Applied Psychology, Canterbury Christ Church University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 31 days
Research summary
This project will explore the experience of autistic people with catatonia and catatonia-like phenomena.
Catatonia is the constellation of vocal, movement, and behavioural disturbances that can lead to significant loss of daily functioning (World Health Organization, 2023). A recent meta-analysis (Vaquerizo-Serrano, 2022) suggested that in a sample of 969 autistic individuals, 10.4% had catatonia and 20.2% had catatonic features, sometimes up to a year before the emergence of clearly identifiable, “typical” catatonia. Due to diagnostic overshadowing and unfamiliarity with catatonia in autism, clinicians may not recognise the most common, gradual forms or miss episodic catatonia in autism that does not require hospitalisation. Recognising catatonic deterioration in autism, particularly in early stages, could prevent more significant impact on the person by offering support early.
The study will focus on: a) How do catatonia and catatonia-like phenomena affect autistic people cognitively, emotionally, and socially, and what impact does it have on their sensory and motor functions?; b) What support and strategies have been helpful or unhelpful for autistic people to manage these experiences?; c) How do they make sense of them?; d) How the catatonic experience has shaped their relationship with their social environment, particularly mental health services, but not excluding other common social settings.
Autistic adults who are current or past South London and Maudsley NHS Trust service users will be invited to take part in an interview lasting one hour to talk about their experiences. Interviews will take place in a trust location, on university premises, or online. Interview transcripts will be analysed using a qualitative methodology (looking for common themes in what the participants talk about). All participants will be invited to give feedback on the results of the study. The study is expected to last until May 2025 and it is funded by Canterbury Christ Church University.
REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/LO/0849
Date of REC Opinion
11 Apr 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion