title: Demographic and Cognitive Profile of Individuals Seeking a Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adulthood.
abstract: Little is known about ageing with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We examined the characteristics of adults referred to a specialist diagnostic centre for assessment of possible ASD, 100 of whom received an ASD diagnosis and 46 did not. Few demographic differences were noted between the groups. Comorbid psychiatric disorders were high in individuals with ASD (58 %) and non-ASD (59 %). Individuals who received an ASD diagnosis had higher self-rated severity of ASD traits than non-ASD individuals. Within the ASD group, older age was associated with higher ratings of ASD traits and better cognitive performance. One interpretation is that general cognitive ability and the development of coping strategies across the lifespan, do not necessarily reduce ASD traits but may mitigate their effects.
authors.affiliation: Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Research Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Francesca G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Happé
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths University of London, New Cross, London, SE14 6NW, UK.
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mansour
authors.affiliation: Autism Diagnostic Research Centre, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: Pippa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.affiliation: Autism Diagnostic Research Centre, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Autism Diagnostic Research Centre, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Abbott
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths University of London, New Cross, London, SE14 6NW, UK. r.charlton@gold.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Rebecca A
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-3326-8762
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Charlton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D057566:Self Report; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adulthood; Ageing; Autism spectrum disorders; Autism traits; Diagnosis; Psychiatric comorbidity