Developing more accessible mental health screening tool for autistic adolescents

May 7, 2026 - 12:45

Researchers are developing a more accessible mental health screening tool specifically designed for autistic adolescents. The project is led by Celeste Campos-Castillo and Susan Bonner, both associate professors in Media and Information, who are combining their expertise in communication, health services, and interactive design to rethink how screening works.

Current mental health assessments often fail to account for the unique ways autistic teens experience and express emotional distress. Standard questionnaires can be confusing, overwhelming, or culturally insensitive to their needs. This can lead to misdiagnosis or missed opportunities for early intervention.

The new tool aims to bridge that gap. By focusing on user-centered design, the team is creating an interactive experience that feels less like a clinical test and more like a natural conversation. The goal is to reduce anxiety during the screening process and capture more accurate data about the adolescent's mental state.

Campos-Castillo and Bonner are working directly with autistic teens and their families to ensure the tool is both effective and respectful. Their approach prioritizes clarity, visual simplicity, and flexibility, allowing users to respond in ways that feel comfortable to them. The researchers hope this project will lead to better mental health outcomes for a population that has long been underserved by standard diagnostic tools.