title: Adult outcomes in autism: community inclusion and living skills.
abstract: Longitudinal research has demonstrated that social outcomes for adults with autism are restricted, particularly in terms of employment and living arrangements. However, understanding of individual and environmental factors that influence these outcomes is far from complete. This longitudinal study followed a community sample of children and adolescents with autism into adulthood. Social outcomes in relation to community inclusion and living skills were examined, including the predictive role of a range of individual factors and the environment (socio-economic disadvantage). Overall, the degree of community inclusion and living skills was restricted for the majority, and while childhood IQ was an important determinant of these outcomes, it was not the sole predictor. The implications of these findings in relation to interventions are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia, kylie.gray@monash.edu.
authors.forename: Kylie M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: Caroline M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Keating
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Taffe
authors.forename: Avril V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Brereton
authors.forename: Stewart L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Einfeld
authors.forename: Tessa C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Reardon
authors.forename: Bruce J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Tonge
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D066107:Social Skills; D055815:Young Adult