Variations in characteristics and service needs of persons with autism

Information concerning socio-demographics, disability characteristics, and services received and needed became available on approximately 900 autistic children and adults as a result of a statewide needs assessment and case-finding collection project conducted in New York. Analyses of the results confirmed other findings as to the predominance of males to females and a high concomitant occurrence of mental retardation. Results also showed a population having few problems with mobility, hearing or vision, but moderate deficits in most skills related to activities of daily living, and significant deficits in communication and basic independent functioning skills. Differences were observed between institutionalized and noninstitutionalized autistic persons in terms of level of retardation, functional skills, age, and use of medications. Implications of the findings are drawn for clinicians, administrators, and public policy makers.