Australians urged to take action for the 70% of Autistic people who face mental health challenges
Sydney, Australia: This May, thousands of Australians will walk 7,000 steps a day for Walk for Autism, Aspect’s major annual fundraiser, standing in solidarity with the 70% of Autistic people who face mental health challenges – exacerbated by living in a world that is not autism-friendly.
Aspect is calling on individuals, families, workplaces and schools to walk, raise funds and help create a world where the 1 in 40 Australians who are Autistic, feel understood, supported and free to be themselves.
Autistic young adult, Tom Broadley knows firsthand the challenges of growing up in a world that doesn’t always understand autism. Diagnosed at 14, he spent years feeling different from his peers, being bullied and struggling with school, which took a significant toll on his mental health.
“The reality is, the world is not yet autism-friendly, so I’m walking to change that,” Tom said. “Finding the right support improved everything for me. Through my diagnosis, I met people who truly understood me and started accessing therapies that made a real difference. Today, I’m in a place where I can be myself and support others on their journey.”
A Mental Health Crisis for Autistic Australians
While autism itself is not a mental health condition, mental health issues among Autistic Australians start early and often persist into adulthood. This is influenced by factors such as social exclusion, not feeling accepted or understood, pressure to hide or “mask” Autistic traits, and challenges in accessing the right support. Research reveals:
- Over 75% of Autistic children* have at least one mental health condition, and nearly half have two or more.
- 45% of pre-school age Autistic children* already have at least one mental health diagnosis, compared to just 14% of neurotypical children aged 3–17.
- The most common mental health conditions are anxiety (20%), sleep-wake disorders (13%), depression (11%), obsessive-compulsive disorder (9%), bipolar disorder (5%) and schizophrenia spectrum disorders (4%)**.
- Autistic adults are more likely to experience suicidal thoughts*** than the general population.
Dr Vicki Gibbs, Head of Research at Aspect, said Walk for Autism is a powerful way to highlight these urgent challenges and create change.
“This year, we want to drive home the fact that 70% of Autistic people experience mental health challenges, a number that’s far too high,” said Dr Gibbs. “A world that isn’t designed for Autistic people makes everyday life more difficult and contributes to these struggles. We need to change that.
“At Aspect, we’re actively working to create a more inclusive society. Our Autism Friendly Team collaborates with businesses, transport hubs, venues and public spaces across Australia, offering expert guidance to help make environments more accessible. Education is key, because understanding fosters empathy, acceptance and real change.”
Walk for Autism is designed to be accessible for everyone. There’s no set location, participants can walk solo, or in a team with their workmates, friends, or family, tracking their steps wherever and whenever it suits them. Whether walking for a week, a fortnight, or the entire month of May, every step and every dollar raised will help create a more autism-friendly Australia.
Dr Gibbs encourages everyone to take part: “An autism-friendly world benefits us all. Embracing diverse perspectives supports innovation and growth, and many accommodations that support Autistic people can improve experiences for everyone.
“Let’s take a step towards inclusion together by signing up, walking and helping to build a world where everyone feels understood and supported.”
To register or support Walk for Autism visit www.walkforautism.org.au
For more information:
Karen Keech karen@establishedpr.com.au 0411 052 408
