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Screening of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Geriatric Psychiatry
S M J Heijnen-Kohl1, R M Kok2, R M H J Wilting3
1Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Mondriaan Hospital, Kloosterkensweg 10, Postbus 4436, 6401 CX, Heerlen-Maastricht, The Netherlands. s.heijnen@mondriaan.eu.
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|June 8, 2017
Summary
Detecting autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in older adults is challenging. The Dutch informant personality questionnaire (HAP) effectively screened for ASD symptoms in elderly patients, showing higher scores in specific behavioral areas.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Psychometric Assessment
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis in older adults is often overlooked due to symptom presentation changes with age.
- Limited validated tools exist for identifying ASD symptoms in the elderly population within clinical settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of the Dutch informant personality questionnaire (Hetero-Anamnestische Persoonlijkheidsvragenlijst, HAP) for detecting ASD symptoms in adults over 60.
- To assess if specific HAP scales can differentiate between older adults with and without ASD.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving older adults diagnosed with ASD (N=40) and a control group with other psychiatric diagnoses (N=43, excluding personality disorders).
- Utilized the HAP, a Dutch informant-based personality questionnaire, to assess behavioral patterns.
Main Results:
- Patients with ASD exhibited significantly higher scores on the HAP scales for 'Socially avoidant behavior', 'Rigid behavior', and 'Unpredictable and impulsive behavior'.
- These identified HAP scales demonstrated the ability to discriminate between individuals with and without ASD.
Conclusions:
- The HAP shows potential as a screening instrument for identifying ASD symptoms in elderly patients within mental health services.
- Further research is recommended to determine the specific items within the HAP that possess the highest predictive validity for ASD symptoms in this demographic.
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