What Mental Health Screens Complement Autism Screening?

PostedNovember 10, 2025

UpdatedNovember 10, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Lucia Alvarez, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Mental health screening with autism is a vital part of building a full diagnostic picture. Many individuals with autism also experience comorbid mental health conditions, and without proper screening, these may go unnoticed. Tools designed to evaluate emotional wellbeing are essential for understanding overlapping symptoms and supporting accurate diagnosis and care.

Why Mental Health Screening Matters in Autism

Here’s how mental health screening helps during autism evaluation:

Identify Comorbid Conditions:

Conditions like anxiety, depression, or OCD often co-occur with autism. Recognising these early ensures more targeted interventions.

Improves Emotional Health Insights:

Screening uncovers emotional challenges that may not be directly tied to autism, supporting broader wellbeing.

Clarifies Adult Symptoms:

In adults, emotional distress may mask or mimic autism traits. Mental health tools help distinguish between overlapping conditions.

Enhances Diagnostic Accuracy:

By pairing mental health assessments with autism screening, clinicians can better interpret behaviour patterns and reduce misdiagnosis.

Adding mental health screening to autism assessments strengthens the entire diagnostic process, ensuring a holistic view of the individual’s needs.

For expert support and tailored screening options, visit providers like Autism Detect, who offer comprehensive assessments addressing both autism and emotional wellbeing.

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to Autism Screening and Assessment Tools.

Lucia Alvarez, MSc

Author

Lucia Alvarez is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and extensive experience providing evidence-based therapy and psychological assessment to children, adolescents, and adults. Skilled in CBT, DBT, and other therapeutic interventions, she has worked in hospital, community, and residential care settings. Her expertise includes grief counseling, anxiety management, and resilience-building, with a strong focus on creating safe, supportive environments to improve mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.