Intervention Services for Autistic Adults: An ASDEU Study of Autistic Adults, Carers, and Professionals' Experiences

The Autism Spectrum Disorders in the European Union (ASDEU) survey investigated local services' use experiences of autistic adults, carers and professionals with interventions for autistic adults. The majority of the 697 participants experienced recommended considerations prior to deciding on intervention and during the intervention plan and implementation. Psychosocial interventions were the most commonly experienced interventions, while pharmacological interventions NOT recommended for core autistic symptoms were reported by fairly large proportions of participants. Family interventions were experienced slightly more commonly by carers than adults or professionals. Less than the 26% of autistic adult responders who had experienced challenging behaviors reported receiving an intervention to change them. These results provide insights for improving gaps in service provision of interventions among autistic adults.

Automated summary

The ASDEU survey found that the majority of participants considered recommended considerations before deciding on interventions for autistic adults, with psychosocial interventions being the most common. Pharmacological interventions not recommended for core autistic symptoms were reported by a significant proportion of participants. Family interventions were slightly more common among carers, and less than 26% of autistic adult responders who experienced challenging behaviors received interventions to change them. These findings provide insights for improving gaps in service provision of interventions among autistic adults.