scholarly journals The Impact of Schizotypy on Quality of Life Among Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albin Klang ◽  
Britta Westerberg ◽  
Mats B. Humble ◽  
Susanne Bejerot
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Schizotypal Personality ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizotypal personality disorder can be difficult to distinguish. Deficits in social relationships and social interaction, present in both conditions, are known to impair quality of life. The aim of the present study was to investigate if schizotypal symptoms affect quality of life among adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and to study the association between schizotypy and autistic traits among them. Methods: Participants diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (n=110) completed questionnaires exploring schizotypy (Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire – Brief Revised (SPQ-BR)), autistic traits (The Ritvo Autism, Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised Screen 14 items), anxiety and depression (The Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale) and quality of life (Brunnsviken Brief Quality of Life Scale and the European quality of life index version 5D). Results: Schizotypy was found to be associated with anxiety, depressive and autistic symptoms, and poor quality of life. Although schizotypy was a predictor for impaired quality of life, this relationship was mediated by symptoms of anxiety and depression, plausibly inherent to autism. Autistic traits were positively associated with all higher order constructs of the SPQ-BR, i.e. positive and negative schizotypy, disorganization and social anxiety, as well as with poor quality of life. Conclusions: There is considerable overlap between schizotypy and autism that needs to be considered in research. Prominent schizotypal traits in people with ASD may constitute an endophenotype coinciding with a particularly poor quality of life.

scholarly journals Quality of Life among Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Riyadh

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khaled Yousef Asi
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autistic Child ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autistic Children ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

<p>The current study aimed to identify the level of quality of life among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder and the differences according to the relationship with the autistic child, gender, severity of disability. The sample consisted of (100) parents of children with autism spectrum disorder, enrolled in the program of autism, intentionally selected in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Quality of life scale prepared and utilized by the author after verification of validity and reliability. The results showed that the level of quality of life among the participants was medium, and the results showed statistically significant differences in the level of quality of life among the participants due to the impact of the relationship with autistic children, where differences were in favor of the parents, and the variable of gender of the autistic child, where differences were in favor of the males, and severity of the disability, where the differences were in favor of the mild group. The study recommended the need to draw the attention of officials in the care and service centers for children with autism spectrum to provide training programs and activities for parents of autistic children to raise the level of quality of life, especially mothers.</p>

Impact of Caregiver Burden on Quality of Life for Parents of Adult Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

2019 ◽  
Vol 124 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina N. Marsack-Topolewski ◽  
Heather L. Church
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Adult Children ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Adult Child ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
The Impact

Abstract This study sought to examine the impact of time, developmental, emotional, and financial burdens on the quality of life (QOL) for parents (aged 50+) of an adult child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Participants (N = 320) completed a web-based survey and could indicate interest in participating in one-on-one follow up interviews. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that two variables, developmental burden and impact of caregiving on finances, were statistically significant predictors of parents' QOL. Developmental burden was the strongest predictor of parental QOL, demonstrating an inverse relationship. Qualitatively, reported findings indicated that many parents were experiencing all four burdens. Findings highlighted the need to provide services and supports to alleviate burden among aging parents of adult children with ASD.

Development and Validation of a Questionnaire to Assess Parent Reported Quality of Life Pre and Post Vision Therapy in a Population with Autism Spectrum Disorder

2019 ◽  
pp. 195-207
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Behavior ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Visual Behavior ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Vision Therapy

Background: Autism spectrum disorder is characterized in part by atypical behavior in the communication, social, and visual domains. Success in vision therapy is judged not only by changes in optometric findings, but through improvement in quality of life involving communication, social behavior and visual behavior. It would therefore be beneficial to have a validated questionnaire to assess parent reported quality of life pre and post vision therapy specific to patients with autism spectrum disorder. To our knowledge, a questionnaire of this nature has not been previously published in the literature. Methods: Questionnaire items were generated through surveying medical literature based on symptoms in three different categories: visual behavior, social behavior and communication. A pool of 34 questions was developed initially and then with thorough discussion with other experts, a 20-point questionnaire was developed with each item reflected in the construct concept. A draft of 20 questions was then sent to 10 subject experts with clinical experience in the field for more than 20 years, to review the pooled items. Validity and reliability was established prior to assessing the psychometric properties of the ASD/QOL-VT. Prospective observational study was conducted for a duration of 18 months. The study included individuals undergoing vision therapy in the age range of 3 to 15 years who had been diagnosed with ASD. The questionnaire was administered to parents of these children prior to the start of vision therapy. All subjects completed a minimum of 60 vision therapy sessions. The questionnaire was readministered after completing 60 sessions of vision therapy. Results: Cronbach’s alpha value for this questionnaire was 0.93, which reflected very good internal consistency. Factorial analysis yielded four factors with an Eigen value exceeding 1.0 which accounted for 68% variation in the model. The Cronbach alpha value for subscales identified by factorial analysis is 0.97 indicating excellent internal reliability. The mean pre vision therapy social behavior, communication and visual behavior score was 12.0±3.21, 17.07±4.57 and 26.97±6.41 respectively. The mean post vision therapy scores for social behavior, communication and visual behavior was 8.27±4.16, 11.33±5.27 and 17.93±6.52 respectively. On paired t test, the mean difference in score was statistically significant with P<0.001 in all three subcategories. Conclusions: Our study presents the development of a valid and reliable parent questionnaire, the ASD/QOL-VT, that judges communication, social behavior, and visual behavior in autism. Results of the study conducted indicate that vision therapy can result in significant improvements in the quality of life of patients with ASD as judged by their parents. This is evidenced by statistically significant changes in psychometric properties of the ASD/QOL-VT in social behavior, communication and visual behavior.

Examining the experiences and quality of life of patients with an autism spectrum disorder detained in high secure psychiatric care

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Murphy ◽  
Hannah Mullens
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Psychiatric Care ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Living Situation ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Secure Psychiatric Care

Purpose Although individuals with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) represent a small proportion of forensic psychiatric patients as a group they present with specific difficulties and needs. There is also evidence that if detained individuals with an ASD experience particular difficulties within custodial environments as a result of a mismatch between the difficulties associated with their ASD and the environmental demands. The purpose of this paper is to explore the experience of individuals with an ASD admitted to a high secure psychiatric care (HSPC) hospital. Design/methodology/approach Using both a semi-structured interview and a quality of life self-report measure (the Lancashire Quality of Life Profile) the experiences and views of seven patients with an ASD detained in one HSPC hospital were qualitatively explored. Findings Whilst a diverse range of negative and positive aspects of being within HSPC were identified by patients interviewed, those with prison experience thought HSPC was a less stressful environment with more therapeutic opportunities. As a group, patients with an ASD reported a similar or significantly better quality of life in many domains (global, leisure, financial and living situation) compared to other detained forensic patient groups. Practical implications Although most patients with an ASD interviewed reported positive experiences, there are a number of practical improvements that could be made within the hospital to reduce experienced stress levels and perhaps improve therapeutic outcomes. Originality/value Within the context of the Department of Health's autism strategy (2010) and subsequent update think autism (2014), the survey highlights continued ASD awareness training for staff as important. In responding to the risks and needs of individuals with an ASD in HSPC there is further support for the development of an ASD specialist service.

scholarly journals Exploring possible predictors and moderators of an executive function training for children with an autism spectrum disorder

Autism ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 440-449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marieke de Vries ◽  
Mathilde GE Verdam ◽  
Pier JM Prins ◽  
Ben A Schmand ◽  
Hilde M Geurts
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Reward Sensitivity ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Traits ◽  
Moderating Factors ◽  
Flexibility Training ◽  
Executive Function Training

Previously, a total of 121 children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) performed an adaptive working memory (WM)-training, an adaptive flexibility-training, or a non-adaptive control (mock)-training. Despite overall improvement, there were minor differences between the adaptive and mock-training conditions. Moreover, dropout was relatively high (26%). In the current study we explored potential predicting and moderating factors to clarify these findings. The effects of intelligence, autism traits, WM, flexibility, reward sensitivity and Theory of Mind on dropout, improvement during training, and improvement in everyday executive functioning (EF), ASD-like behavior, and Quality of Life (QoL) were studied. None of the predictors influenced dropout or training improvement. However, 1) more pre-training autism traits related to less improvement in EF and QoL, and 2) higher reward sensitivity was related to more improvement in QoL and ASD-like behavior. These findings suggest that these EF-training procedures may be beneficial for children with fewer autism traits and higher reward sensitivity. However, the exploratory nature of the analyses warrant further research before applying the findings clinically.

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