Advancing Research on Suicide and Mental Health in Autistic Adults Through a Research Domain Criteria-Inspired Framework

Given the dearth of research on adulthood in autism prior to the last decade, we need methods to accelerate progress. One area of interest is mental health, but studies focusing on isolated methods or limited sets of constructs are unlikely to rapidly identify the many contributors to autistic adult mental health outcomes. We argue that adopting a multimethod, dimensional approach will more rapidly speed progress. One framework designed to encourage this approach is the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)'s Research Diagnostic Criterion initiative (RDoC). In this paper, we describe the utility of RDoC and considerations for the design of an RDoC-inspired autism study. We demonstrate this via an example focused on suicide because suicide is one serious and well-documented sequelae of poor mental health. This paper begins with a brief overview of the significance of suicide to autism. Then, the paper outlines key aspects of the RDoC, including consideration of the following: dimensional processes, development, different units of analysis (methods), content domains, and environmental influences. We describe the University of Pittsburgh Autism Center of Excellence (Pitt ACE) as project context; it adds an example of how RDoC can work and concepts to consider when designing an RDoC-inspired autism study. Specific methods and constructs are highlighted that may lead to improved understanding of suicide and mental health in autistic adults, and ultimately more tailored interventions and supports.