Autistic Adults Face Higher Risk of Hospital Readmission for Mental Health Conditions

Recent research highlights that autistic adults are significantly more likely to experience repeated hospital visits due to mental health issues. The study, conducted by Drexel University’s A.J. Drexel Autism Institute and published in Research in Autism, found that over one-third (36%) of hospitalizations for autistic adults in 2019 were related to mental health conditions, with schizophrenia being the most common diagnosis—accounting for 30% of such admissions.

The investigation compared the rates of hospital readmissions within 30 days after discharge among autistic adults to other groups, including those with ADHD, intellectual disabilities, and other mental health disorders. Results showed that autistic adults are nearly 1.5 times more likely to return to hospital within a month of discharge than their non-autistic counterparts. Notably, almost 20% of autistic adults were readmitted within 30 days.

Certain factors increased the likelihood of readmission, such as being covered by Medicare and having a diagnosis of substance use disorder or schizophrenia during the initial hospitalization. The study also revealed a surprising gender difference: autistic women had higher readmission rates than autistic men, a pattern opposite to that observed in the general population.

Researchers underscored that gaps in accessible mental health care and support systems contribute to these high readmission rates. Autism-specific treatment options and well-trained clinicians are limited, and mental health services are often fragmented across different support systems, such as developmental disability services and mental health providers, complicating comprehensive care.

Jessica Rast, Ph.D., emphasized that inpatient care should be supplemented with effective outpatient services to prevent crises and hospitalizations. The findings suggest urgent need for policies and healthcare reforms to bridge these gaps, improve treatment accessibility, and tailor mental health interventions for autistic adults—particularly women and those with co-occurring intellectual disabilities.

As the autistic population grows, currently representing about 2% of adults, addressing these systemic issues is crucial for better health outcomes and reducing unnecessary hospital readmissions. Continued research and targeted mental health resources are essential steps forward.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-autistic-adults-hospital-mental-health.html