Adults with Autism: Changes in Understanding Since DSM-111
1Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK. patricia.howlin@kcl.ac.uk.
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|January 21, 2021
Summary
Autism services for adults need improvement, as current support lags behind that for children, impacting employment and independent living. Research highlights the need to understand diverse factors influencing adult autism outcomes and enhance support systems.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) research
- Adult developmental psychology
Background:
- Significant advances in understanding autism over four decades.
- Services for autistic adults lag behind those for children.
- Poor prospects for employment and independent living for autistic adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- Describe changing perspectives of autism in adulthood over 40 years.
- Explore individual and environmental factors influencing adult autism outcomes.
- Suggest improvements for services to enhance the future for adults with autism.
Main Methods:
- Review of changing perspectives on autism in adulthood.
- Exploration of factors influencing adult autism outcomes.
- Analysis of current service provision for autistic adults.
Main Results:
- Adult autism outcomes vary widely.
- Cognitive and language abilities are key indicators, but other factors remain uncertain.
- Current services are insufficient for the needs of autistic adults.
Conclusions:
- Autism services require significant changes to improve adult outcomes.
- A comprehensive understanding of diverse factors is crucial for effective support.
- Future services must address employment, independent living, and overall quality of life for autistic adults.
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