Search

Background: Poor mental health is known to adversely affect functional abilities, social isolation, and quality of life (QoL). It is, therefore, crucial to consider the long-term impacts of mental health conditions as autistic adults grow older. Objectives: To explore, in a group of community-based autistic adults, the extent of: (i) autistic traits, co-occurring physical and mental health conditions; (ii) age-related differences in those conditions, and changes over time; and (iii) their impact on everyday living and QoL. Method: About Sixty-eight autistic adults (aged 19-80 years) participated in the first study (T1); 49 participants from T1 took part in a follow-up at T2 (mean retest interval 2.4 years). Standardised self-report measures of autistic traits, mental health, and QoL were completed at both time points. Results: Over two-thirds (71%) of autistic adult participants experienced at least one co-occurring condition, and over a third (37%) met the criteria for three or more co-occurring conditions. Mental and physical health difficulties were related to autistic traits and difficulties in everyday life and were consistent predictors of poor QoL at T1 and T2. Conclusion: Mental health difficulties in autism persisted into older age and did not improve over time. These findings have important implications for mental health provision for autistic adults in older age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The levels of parental stress among parents of children with Asperger’s syndrome in comparison with parents of children with autism are unknown in the Japanese population. Methods: The stress levels in Japanese parents caring for children with Asperger’s syndrome were compared with the stress levels found in Japanese parents caring for children with autism using the Parenting Stress Index/Short Form. Results: In a sample of 193 families, both groups had a significant increase in parental stress levels. In addition, strong evidence was obtained for the presence of higher levels of parental stress in the Asperger’s group compared with the parents of the autism group after controlling for the impact of confounders, F(5,187) = 9.11, P = 0.003. The elevated levels of parental stress found in the Asperger’s group appeared to be attributable to characteristics associated with the child’s basic behavior. The potential mechanism, implications and strategies for further research are discussed. Conclusion: There are significantly elevated parental stress levels in Japanese parents of children with Asperger’s syndrome or autism. In addition, the total parental stress levels were significantly higher in parents of children with Asperger’s syndrome than in parents of children with autism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Difficulties in social interaction are a central feature of Asperger syndrome. Effective social interaction involves the ability to solve interpersonal problems as and when they occur. Here we examined social problem-solving in a group of adults with Asperger syndrome and control group matched for age, gender and IQ. We also assessed autobiographical memory, on a cueing task and during social problem-solving, and examined the relationship between access to specific past experiences and social problem-solving ability. Results demonstrated a social problem-solving impairment in the Asperger group. Their solutions were less detailed, less effective and less extended in time. Autobiographical memory performance was also impaired with significantly longer latencies to retrieve specific memories and fewer specific memories retrieved in comparison to controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few supported employment programmes have been specifically designed for people with autism, especially those who are more able. This study examines the outcome of a supported employment service (NAS Prospects) for adults with autism or Asperger syndrome (IQ 60+) over an 8 year period. Approximately 68 percent of clients found employment. Of the 192 jobs, the majority were permanent contracts and most involved administrative, technical or computing work. Assessment of current clients indicates that IQ, language skills and educational attainments are high. However, work has also been found for those of lower abilities. Individuals supported by Prospects show a rise in salaries, contribute more tax and claim fewer benefits. Satisfaction with the scheme is high among clients, employers and support workers. Although the programme continues to incur a financial deficit, this has decreased. Moreover, there are many non-financial benefits, which are difficult to quantify. The importance of specialist employment support of this kind is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The question of whether Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism should be considered as the same or different conditions has been a source of debate and controversy over recent years. In the present study, 34 adults with autism who had shown early delays in language were compared with 42 individuals who were reported to have had no such delays, either in their use of words or phrases. All participants were at least 18 years of age, had a nonverbal IQ of 70 or above and met ADI-R criteria for age of onset, communication and social impairments, and stereotyped behaviors. Those in the language delay group were diagnosed as having high-functioning autism. The remainder were designated as having Asperger syndrome. The groups were matched for age, nonverbal IQ and gender. No significant differences were found between the groups either in their total ADI-R algorithm scores, or in their algorithm scores on individual domains. Social outcome ratings and ADI-R scores based on current functioning also failed to differentiate between the groups. Scores on tests of language comprehension and expression were also similar, but in both groups language abilities were well below chronological age level. The implications of these results with respect to the differences between Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism are discussed. The poor performance on language tests also challenges the assumption that early language development in Asperger syndrome is essentially normal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Editorial. Discusses the aspects of psychological functioning in autistic spectrum disorders. Aspects of the social functioning of individuals or families where there is an autistic spectrum disorder; Social integration scheme for adolescents with Asperger syndrome.

Background: Asperger syndrome (AS; an autistic disorder) is associated with impaired social skills and obsessional/repetitive behavior. Patients with autism have significant abnormalities in the frontal lobe and frontoparietal connectivity. Nobody has examined the relationship between abnormalities in the frontal and parietal lobes and clinical symptoms in people with AS. Methods: We used in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy to examine neuronal integrity of the medial prefrontal and parietal lobes in 14 non-learning-disabled adults with AS and 18 control subjects (of similar sex, age, and IQ). We obtained measures of the prefrontal lobe in 11, the parietal lobe in 13, and both lobes in 10 subjects with AS. We measured concentrations and ratios of N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), creatine and phosphocreatine (Cr+PCr), and choline (Cho). Levels of NAA, Cr + PCr, and Cho are indicators of neuronal density and mitochondrial metabolism, phosphate metabolism, and membrane turnover. Frontal metabolite levels were correlated with scores on the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale and the Autism Diagnostic Interview. Results: Subjects with AS had a significantly higher prefrontal lobe concentration of NAA (z = -3.1; P = .002), Cr + PCr (z = -2.2; P = .03), and Cho (z = -2.9; P = .003). Increased prefrontal NAA concentration was significantly correlated with obsessional behavior (τ = 0.67; P = .005); increased prefrontal concentration of Cho, with social function (τ = 0.72; P = .02). We found no significant differences in parietal lobe metabolite concentrations. Conclusion: Subjects with AS have abnormalities in neuronal integrity of the prefrontal lobe, which is related to severity of clinical symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review describes the current situation with regard to diagnostic instruments for Asperger syndrome. The paucity of such instruments, and the lack of adequate standardisation data amongst the few that do exist, represent a serious omission for both clinicians and researchers. The major problem limiting the development of effective diagnostic or screening instruments is the confusion inherent in ICD-10 and DSM-1V systems in differentiating autism from Asperger syndrome. In the absence of clear and clinically satisfactory diagnostic criteria, efforts to develop valid assessment instruments may be attempting to put the horse before the cart! [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper reviews what is known about outcome in adult life for more able individuals within the autistic spectrum. Because of the problems associated with differential diagnosis, the results of studies involving high-functioning people with autism and Asperger syndrome are combined. The review focuses predominantly on long-term follow-up research and covers outcome in terms of cognitive, linguistic, academic and adaptive functioning; educational and employment history; independence and social relationships; and behavioural and psychiatric problems. The stability of IQ and other measures over time, and variables related to outcome, are also investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the potential effectiveness of social skills groups for adults with autism and Asperger syndrome. Previous reports of social skills training; Description of a social skills group held at a hospital in London, England; Goal of the group to provide participants with a better understanding of their social difficulties and to foster ways of dealing with them.

The article describes the outcome of a 2 year supported employment project for high-functioning adults with autism. Thirty individuals with a diagnosis of autism or Asperger syndrome living within the London area took part in the scheme. The control group comprised 20 individuals of similar intellectual and linguistic ability, and previous employment history, living in metropolitan areas outside London. Over the course of the project significantly more of the supported group than the controls found work; job levels were higher; they were in work for a greater percentage of the time; and they received significantly higher wages. Thirteen different employers (mostly multinational companies) were involved during the course of the project and several were willing to take more than one employee because of their positive experience of employing someone with autism. Although existing resources within the disability employment service had not previously been able to provide effective job finding and support services for this group, the current scheme demonstrated that, with specialist input, supported employment can be very effective. Moreover the costs, although initially high, reduced significantly over time. One of the most expensive and time-consuming aspects of the scheme, but one that appeared to be crucial for success, was the need for close liaison with employers in order to explore appropriate job opportunities and to match these carefully to the skills and abilities of individual clients. However, although some elements of the scheme can continue to be supported through government funding, no financial provision is available for this initial and essential stage of job finding. If programmes of this kind are to continue to provide help for individuals with autism, it is crucial that such funding is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Editorial. Comments on autism articles featured in the September 2003 issue of 'Autism.' Articles on co-morbidity, developmental profiles, developmental change and approaches to intervention; Use of social stories to improve eating behaviors in an adolescent boy with Asperger Syndrome; Evaluation of home-based autism treatment programs in Great Britain.

Editorial. Comments on Asperger syndrome and autism in Great Britain. Reaction of society on autistic children; Examination on anxiety and mood problems among children with Asperger syndrome; Distinction between emotions and feelings.

Editorial. Presents an overview of articles published in the September 1999 issue of 'Autism' journal. Focus on the treatment and quality of life of individuals with high-functioning autism and Asperger syndrome.