Autism spectrum disorder in adults: diagnosis, management, and health services development

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by pervasive difficulties since early childhood across reciprocal social communication and restricted, repetitive interests and behaviors. Although early ASD research focused primarily on children, there is increasi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment 2016-01, Vol.12, p.1669-1686
Main Authors: Murphy, Clodagh M, Wilson, C Ellie, Robertson, Dene M, Ecker, Christine, Daly, Eileen M, Hammond, Neil, Galanopoulos, Anastasios, Dud, Iulia, Murphy, Declan G, McAlonan, Grainne M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adults
Age
Autism
Brain research
Child & adolescent psychiatry
Children & youth
Comorbidity
Diagnosis
Drug therapy
Education
Etiology
Evidence-based medicine
Families & family life
Health services
Medical diagnosis
Mental disorders
Mental health
Neurodevelopmental disorders
Neurosciences
Public health
Review
Serotonin
Twins
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Summary:Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by pervasive difficulties since early childhood across reciprocal social communication and restricted, repetitive interests and behaviors. Although early ASD research focused primarily on children, there is increasing recognition that ASD is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder. However, although health and education services for children with ASD are relatively well established, service provision for adults with ASD is in its infancy. There is a lack of health services research for adults with ASD, including identification of comorbid health difficulties, rigorous treatment trials (pharmacological and psychological), development of new pharmacotherapies, investigation of transition and aging across the lifespan, and consideration of sex differences and the views of people with ASD. This article reviews available evidence regarding the etiology, legislation, diagnosis, management, and service provision for adults with ASD and considers what is needed to support adults with ASD as they age. We conclude that health services research for adults with ASD is urgently warranted. In particular, research is required to better understand the needs of adults with ASD, including health, aging, service development, transition, treatment options across the lifespan, sex, and the views of people with ASD. Additionally, the outcomes of recent international legislative efforts to raise awareness of ASD and service provision for adults with ASD are to be determined. Future research is required to identify high-quality, evidence-based, and cost-effective models of care. Furthermore, future health services research is also required at the beginning and end of adulthood, including improved transition from youth to adult health care and increased understanding of aging and health in older adults with ASD.
ISSN:1176-6328
1178-2021
1178-2021
DOI:10.2147/ndt.s65455