There is a growing literature documenting the social, employment, and mental health difficulties faced by adults with ASD. With the increasing rates of ASD diagnoses, the number of individuals with ASD entering adulthood each year is expected to double over the next 6 years. Although research indicates that outcomes are almost universally lower for adults on the autism spectrum compared to their peers, few longitudinal studies from childhood to adulthood have been conducted. Most studies have focused on the transition years from adolescence to young adulthood or on describing adult outcomes. While there is little research on the predictors of positive outcome, surveys completed for adults with ASD in middle adulthood who were diagnosed during childhood offers some important insights into the predictors of success (Klinger et al., 2015).

Interviews were conducted with caregivers to gather information on employment status, quality of life, social isolation, mental health issues (such as anxiety, depression and mood), symptom severity, and language skills. Predictors included symptom severity, adaptive behavior (self-help skills), and language ability. Childhood predictors included symptom severity, adaptive behavior, and IQ. Analyses were conducted to examine predictors of adult outcome. Results indicated that current adaptive behavior was the single best predictor of adult outcome. Symptom severity and language ability had no impact on outcome. Adaptive behavior in childhood was an equally strong predictor of outcome (employment, social isolation, depression, and quality of life), regardless of symptom severity and childhood IQ.

Read the full article here.