Skip to main content

Why

Self-compassion is a healthy way of relating to ourselves. Self-compassion involves being warm and understanding toward ourselves when we suffer, fail or feel inadequate, rather than ignoring our pain or being too self-critical.

In a recent research study, we found Autistic adults experience lower self-compassion than non-Autistic adults. We also found that Autistic people with higher levels of self-compassion experience higher levels of wellbeing and lower levels of anxiety and depression.

This study introduced Autistic adults to self-compassion concepts and skills using an online training program called the Aspect Self-compassion Program for Autistic Adults (ASPAA).

Can a self-guided online training program build the self-compassion skills of Autistic adults?

The Aspect Self-compassion Program for Autistic Adults

ASPAA is a self-guided online training program designed by Autistic and non-Autistic researchers from the Aspect Research Centre for Autism Practice. An Autistic advisory group provided feedback on all program modules.

ASPAA is grounded in evidence-based interventions such as the Mindful Self-Compassion program (Neff & Germer, 2018) and Compassion-Focused Therapy (Gilbert, 2014).

Screenshot of the Aspect Self-compassion Program for Autistic Adults

ASPAA consists of five modules:

  1. Understanding self-compassion
  2. Benefits of self-compassion
  3. Mindfulness
  4. Finding your compassionate voice
  5. Accepting our experiences

The research

Thirty-nine Autistic adults trialled ASPAA over a five-week period. Participants completed measures of their self-compassion levels, amount of positive and negative emotions, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and emotion regulation difficulties before and after completing the self-compassion program.

The program included a 15-minute catch-up with a researcher each week (email, zoom, or phone).

What we learnt

Findings from study of self-compassion online program

Find out more

Publications

Cai, R.Y., Edwards, C., Love, A.M., Brown, L., & Gibbs, V. (2024). Self-compassion improves emotion regulation and mental health outcomes: A pilot study of an online self-compassion program for autistic adults. Autism.

Edwards, C., Gibbs, V., Love, A. M. A., Brown, L., & Cai, R. Y. (2024). A qualitative exploration of an autism-specific self-compassion program: The ASPAA. Autism.

Making a difference

This is the first research study to explore whether or not Autistic adults’ can learn self-compassion skills through a self-guided online self-compassion training program.

Improving Autistic adults’ knowledge and understanding of self-compassion and helping them practise self-compassion skills can improve not only their self-compassion levels but also their emotion regulation and mental health.

Feedback from the Autistic participants was used to make improvements to the program. Two versions of ASPAA have been created; a self-guided version for Autistic adults and another version especially for clinicians and therapists to support their Autistic clients.

Research team

Dr Ru Ying Cai, ARCAP

Dr Chris Edwards, ARCAP

Started

2022

Ends

2023

Funding

Aspect

Related items

Listen