A scoping review of what is known of the physical health of adults with autism spectrum disorder

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Cashin ◽  
Thomas Buckley ◽  
Julian N Trollor ◽  
Nicholas Lennox
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
The United States ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
Increased Risk

Little research has been carried out on the physical health of people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). From the studies conducted with both children and adults, few studies have moved beyond retrospective record analysis and survey and conducted health assessment. The majority of the studies are from the United States of America with a small number conducted in Europe. A scoping review was conducted to determine what is known of the physical health of adults with ASD and to identify research gaps. In addition to studies of adults, this review includes studies of children to determine possible health trajectories. From the findings, it can be stated with confidence that people with ASD have a high rate of comorbidity and increased risk for chronic disease.

Workplace accommodations for adults with autism spectrum disorder: a scoping review

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (9) ◽  
pp. 1316-1331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghaidaa Khalifa ◽  
Zonera Sharif ◽  
Madiha Sultan ◽  
Briano Di Rezze
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
Workplace Accommodations

scholarly journals Pregnant Mothers’ Medical Claims and Associated Risk of Their Children being Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 950
Author(s):  
Genevieve Grivas ◽  
Richard Frye ◽  
Juergen Hahn
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
The United States ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Administrative Claims ◽  
Medical Claims ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
Tract Infections

A retrospective analysis of administrative claims containing a diverse mixture of ages, ethnicities, and geographical regions across the United States was conducted in order to identify medical events that occur during pregnancy and are associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The dataset used in this study is comprised of 123,824 pregnancies of which 1265 resulted in the child being diagnosed with ASD during the first five years of life. Logistic regression analysis revealed significant relationships between several maternal medical claims, made during her pregnancy and segmented by trimester, and the child’s diagnosis of ASD. Having a biological sibling with ASD, maternal use of antidepressant medication and psychiatry services as well as non-pregnancy related claims such hospital visits, surgical procedures, and radiology exposure were related to an increased risk of ASD regardless of trimester. Urinary tract infections during the first trimester and preterm delivery during the second trimester were also related to an increased risk of ASD. Preventative and obstetrical care were associated with a decreased risk for ASD. A better understanding of the medical factors that increase the risk of having a child with ASD can lead to strategies to decrease risk or identify those children who require increased surveillance for the development of ASD to promote early diagnosis and intervention.

Physical health needs and self-reported health status among adults with autism

Autism ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 136236132097109
Author(s):  
Paul Turcotte ◽  
Lindsay Shea
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Service Needs ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
Reported Health ◽  
Self Reported Health Status

Self-reported health status is an integral method to understand how adults on the autism spectrum perceive their healthcare and service needs. The objective of the study is to examine how self-reported health changes with use and need of physical health services. The Pennsylvania autism needs assessment included a survey of adults on the autism spectrum responding for themselves. Self-reported health status change over the previous year was reported as improved, decreased, or stable. Adjusted multinomial logistic regression was used to identify characteristics of individuals who experienced decreased or improved health. A total of 1197 adults responded, with most respondents’ health remaining stable (68%). Respondents who had a decreased health status reported needing more physical health services (1.64 services) compared to respondents with stable health (1.07 services) and improved health (1.18 services). Respondents with a decreased health status had 1.23 higher odds (95% confidence interval: 1.08–1.40) of having an increase in one physical health service need as compared to those whose health remained stable. Increased physical health service needs were associated with a decreased health status. Adults on the autism spectrum can present with a complex array of needs and determining the role physical health services play in improving and maintaining health remains critical. Lay abstract Self-reported health can be a powerful measure of how adults with autism spectrum disorder view their overall health. The goal of this study was to determine how health statuses of adults with autism spectrum disorder change, when they are currently receiving or need more physical health services. The Pennsylvania autism needs assessment included a survey of individuals with autism aged 18 years or older responding for themselves. They indicated whether their health status changed over the previous year as improved, decreased, or remained stable. We found that most adults with autism spectrum disorder had their health remain the same (68%). We also found that adults who said their health got worse needed more physical health services, compared to those whose health remained stable, or got better. Supporting the health of adults with autism can be complex and finding out more about how physical health services play a role in that care is important.

scholarly journals Homicide Incidents Involving Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder as Victims Reported in US News Media, 2000-2019

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Guan ◽  
Ashley Blanchard ◽  
Carolyn DiGuiseppi ◽  
Stanford Chihuri ◽  
Guohua Li
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
News Media ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Gunshot Wounds ◽  
The United States ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Media Reports

Abstract Background The reported prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has increased markedly in the past two decades and children with autism are at increased risk of unintentional injury and self-inflicted injury. The risk of assaultive injury in children with autism, however, has not been well described. Our objective was to examine the characteristics of homicide incidents involving children with ASD as victims reported in US news media. Methods The Lexis Uni® database was searched to identify news media reports on homicide incidents involving autistic victims under 21 years of age in the United States from January 2000 through December 2019. Information related to the victim, perpetrator, and means of homicide in each incident was ascertained from news media reports and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings: During the 20-year period, US news media reported on 52 incidents (47 males and 5 females) in which a child with ASD died from homicide. Age of victims at death ranged from 2 to 20 years (mean = 10.4 ± 5.3 years). Parents, other caregivers, and siblings accounted respectively for 63.5%, 13.5%, and 7.7% of the perpetrators. The most commonly cited contributing factor (47.1%) was overwhelming stress from caring for the autistic child. Almost a quarter (23.1%) of the victims died from gunshot wounds, followed by drowning (19.2%), and suffocation, strangulation, or asphyxiation (19.2%). Conclusions Of cases reported in news media, homicide victims in children with ASD are predominantly male. Nearly 85% of the perpetrators were family members or other caregivers. Intervention programs for children with ASD should include social and mental health support for parents and other caregivers to prevent burnouts.

scholarly journals Sex differences in employment and supports for adults with autism spectrum disorder

Autism ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 1711-1719 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Lounds Taylor ◽  
Leann Smith DaWalt ◽  
Alison R Marvin ◽  
J Kiely Law ◽  
Paul Lipkin
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Family Support ◽  
The United States ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Internet Survey ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Course Outcomes

This study explored sex differences in employment, reasons for unemployment, benefits, and supports among a large, international sample of adults with autism spectrum disorder. The sample included 443 adults with autism spectrum disorder (60% female; 74% residing in the United States) who consented to be part of an autism research registry and completed an Internet survey. Outcome variables included current employment status, number of hours working, number of jobs in the past 5 years, reasons for unemployment, as well as the number of benefits received and the amount of financial support currently being received from families of origin. Using multiple regression models, we found that males and females were working at similar rates. Females were more likely than males to say that their unemployment was a result of choosing to withdraw from the labor market. Similar percentages of males and females reported receiving some form of benefits or family support, but of those receiving benefits/family support, males received more than females. These results are consistent with other studies finding subtle, but potentially important sex differences in life-course outcomes of individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

Program experiences of adults with autism, their families, and providers: Findings from a focus group study

Autism ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 345-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaitlin H Koffer Miller ◽  
Mary Mathew ◽  
Stacy L Nonnemacher ◽  
Lindsay L Shea
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
The United States ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Program Improvement ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Direct Care ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Adults With Autism

A growing number of individuals with autism spectrum disorder are aging into adulthood. In the United States, Medicaid is the primary payer for services for adults with autism spectrum disorder, yet there are few funded programs that provide dedicated supports to this population. This study examined the experiences of adults with autism spectrum disorder in two Medicaid-funded programs in Pennsylvania through focus groups. Researchers conducted 20 focus groups with a total of 36 adults with autism spectrum disorder, 32 family members, 32 direct care staff, and 20 program administrators. Using thematic analysis, we identified three themes: training needs, community engagement and socialization, and employment. There was a need for additional training to meet the varying needs of program participants including co-occurring diagnoses, sexuality, and long-term planning. Adults with autism spectrum disorder prioritized more individualized community activities based on their interests. Finally, barriers to and strategies for successful employment were discussed. It will be crucial for policy makers to utilize the findings to inform program improvement and development based on the experiences of individuals impacted by these services and systems directly. Additionally, researchers should use the findings from this study to design interventions for adults with autism spectrum disorder as it includes their voices.

Ten weeks in: COVID-19-related distress in adults with autism spectrum disorder

Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132110059
Author(s):  
Ryan E Adams ◽  
Shuting Zheng ◽  
Julie Lounds Taylor ◽  
Somer L Bishop
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
The United States ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
Health Symptoms

This study examined COVID-19-related distress among adults with autism spectrum disorder and its associations with demographic and mental health information. A sample of 275 adults (ages 18–35) in the United States, all capable of providing self-reports, was recruited from a large national registry. Adults completed online surveys of mental health symptoms just before COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. Two months later, they completed the same surveys of mental health symptoms, and also reported about distress they had experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly two-thirds (65.9%) endorsed some form of COVID-related distress with a little over half reporting any individual form of distress. Although depressive and anxiety symptoms did not change from Time 1 to Time 2 on average, higher levels of COVID-related distress was associated with an increase in depressive and anxiety symptoms between Time 1 and Time 2. In addition, women and those who reported higher anxiety symptoms before the pandemic were more likely to report some form of COVID-related distress. The findings suggest that as this global crisis continues to unfold, it will be critical to ensure that adults with autism spectrum disorder who were experiencing mental health challenges prior to the pandemic receive appropriate monitoring. Lay abstract This study used data collected from 275 adults in the United States with autism spectrum disorder both before the pandemic and then 10 weeks into the pandemic to assess COVID-19-related distress and its impact. Two-thirds of those surveyed reported some type of distress related to the pandemic (i.e. difficulty coping or negative impact on emotional and mental health). While there were no changes in depressive and anxiety symptoms from prior to COVID-19 to 10 week later in the group as a whole, self-reported distress predicted increases in both anxiety and depression across the two timepoints. Furthermore, adults with higher levels of anxiety prior to the pandemic were more likely to report distress, and women were more likely to report a negative impact of the pandemic on their emotional and mental health. Findings highlight the importance of monitoring with adults with autism spectrum disorder to assess their need for mental health support, and providing ongoing support to those who already experience anxiety even before the pandemic.

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