Signs of Depression

Early recognition and support are essential to help children and young people manage their emotions, develop resilience and thrive in their environments. This includes increasing understanding of parents, caregivers and educators of the signs and presentation of depression and approaches to support autistic children.

What does depression look like?

Depression can present differently in children and young people in comparison to adults, it can include changes in behavioural responses, academic performance and social interactions. Depression is more common during adolescence and often occurs with other presentations such as anxiety.

Identifying depression in autistic children and young people can be challenging due to overlapping symptoms and differences in emotional expression.

Some common signs of depression may include:

• Feelings of hopelessness
• Physical symptoms such as tiredness
• Loss of interest in previous enjoyed activities

Depression can cause an increase in other behaviours commonly associated with autism, such as:

• Obsessive behaviours
• Stimming / repetitive actions as a coping mechanism
• Self-injury
• Sleep disturbance
• Changes in appetite
• Social withdrawal
• Agitation