Until recently, suicidality in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was rarely 
discussed. A cluster of recent articles, including an article by Culpin et al.1 
in this issue, has highlighted not only that suicidal thoughts and suicide 
attempts can occur in adolescents and young adults with ASD, but also that 
suicidality is likely more common in ASD than in the general population. 
Retrospectively, the lack of focus on suicidality in ASD seems surprising when 
self-injurious behavior has long been a focus of attention in ASD.2 The emerging 
studies indicate that the increased risk of self-injurious behavior in younger 
and less cognitively able children with ASD3,4 is matched by an increased risk 
of suicidality in those at a more advanced developmental level.