A new feasibility study from Rutgers University examined how well standard tools — like the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 — align with clinical diagnoses for anxiety and depression in autistic adults. 

While structured interviews like ADIS-5 aligned closely with best-estimate clinical diagnoses (BECD), self-report tools showed variable accuracy. The researchers noted that the GAD-7’s mild anxiety thresholds and the PHQ-9’s moderate depression cut-offs tracked most consistently with clinical results. This highlights the urgent need for validated, autism-specific screening tools to ensure accurate mental health assessment.

At Burble Creativity, we believe this need for emotional care goes beyond assessment — it calls for supportive, sensory-informed experiences. That’s where our Minimally Defined Immersion (MDI™) technology comes in. 

Inside a Burble StoryTent, autistic adults — and children alike — can immerse themselves in gentle lighting and soundscapes that encourage calm and creative processing. After a session, emotional overload may ease, and anxiety can soften, offering a peaceful complement to formal interventions.

As mental health screening evolves for neurodivergent adults, tools like MDI™ may become invaluable — offering safe spaces to ground, regulate, and reflect in ways that assessments alone cannot.

Burble Creativity creates immersive storytelling environments that spark imagination and support neurodiverse minds. Learn more at www.burblecreativity.com.