Journal
NEUROPSYCHIATRIC DISEASE AND TREATMENT
Volume 12, Issue -, Pages 1669-1686Publisher
DOVE MEDICAL PRESS LTD
DOI: 10.2147/NDT.S65455
Keywords
autism; adults; diagnosis; management; service development
Categories
Funding
- EU Innovative Medicines Initiative AIMS network
- Innovative Medicines Initiative [115300]
- European Seventh Framework Programme [FP7]
- European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations
- Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment
- Talentia Postdoc Grant from the Agencia Andaluza del Conocomiento, Junta de Analducia
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley
- NIHR Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley
- NHS Foundation Trust
- MRC [MR/N026063/1] Funding Source: UKRI
- Medical Research Council [MR/N026063/1] Funding Source: researchfish
- National Institute for Health Research [RP-PG-0606-1045] Funding Source: researchfish
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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.
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