Medical and Health Problems in Adults with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome

Burke, Lillian; Stoddart, Kevin P.

doi:10.1007/978-1-4939-0506-5_12

Cited by 11 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 91 publications

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“…Interestingly, we did not find that autistic participants reported higher rates of health care utilisation than the groups without autism diagnoses, despite the fact that they were more likely to have diagnosed physical health conditions and higher levels of somatic symptoms. This may suggest that autistic participants in this study, who were largely young adults (mean age = 33), under-utilise medical services, which would be consistent with recent research ( Burke & Stoddart, 2014 ; Calleja et al, 2020 ; Doherty et al, 2020 ; Mason et al, 2019 ). However, self-reports of health care usage are vulnerable to under-reporting ( Ritter et al, 2001 ), so the current findings are tentative until replicated.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Alexithymia and intolerance of uncertainty predict somatic symptoms in autistic and non-autistic adults

Larkin

Ralston

Dinsdale

et al. 2022

Autism

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Autistic people experience heightened rates of physical health problems but may also experience elevated levels of somatic symptoms (e.g. pain, headache, gastrointestinal symptoms) due to psychological factors which are common in autism. This online study sought to compare rates of somatic symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-15) in older adolescents and adults who were autistic ( n = 51), non-autistic ( n = 119) and who suspected they were autistic ( n = 32), while controlling for health conditions. We investigated psychological risk factors that may predispose individuals to experience somatic symptoms, including alexithymia (General Alexithymia Factor Score), interoception (Body Awareness Questionnaire) and intolerance of uncertainty (Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale). Diagnosed autistic individuals had higher rates of alexithymia and intolerance of uncertainty. We also found higher somatic symptoms in diagnosed autistic individuals, controlling for mental and physical health. However, hierarchical regression showed that somatic symptoms were predicted by physical and mental health conditions, female gender, alexithymia, and intolerance of uncertainty, regardless of autism status. The results suggest that autistic and non-autistic individuals experience more bodily discomfort in part due to gender, physical and mental health, alexithymia, and difficulty tolerating uncertainty. Implications for mental and physical health care in autism are discussed. Lay abstract Autistic people have more physical health problems than non-autistic people. We were interested in whether autistic people experience more discomfort in their bodies than non-autistic people and whether certain psychological traits contribute to that. A survey was completed online by older adolescents and adults, 51 of whom were autistic, 32 of whom thought they might be autistic but were not diagnosed and 119 who were not autistic. They completed measures of somatic symptoms (daily experience of pain, discomfort, dizziness), alexithymia (difficulty identifying and expressing feelings), interoception (how much people are aware of their bodies) and intolerance of uncertainty (how people handle doubt or uncertainty), and reported any physical or mental health conditions. We found that the autistic participants had more physical and mental health conditions than the non-autistic participants, but even when we took account of this, they experienced higher levels of somatic symptoms. We looked at which psychological factors influenced levels of somatic symptoms across the whole sample, and found that alexithymia, intolerance of uncertainty, having physical health problems, being female and the number of mental health conditions predicted somatic symptoms, while interoception and autism diagnosis did not. The findings suggest that people may be more likely to experience physical discomfort if they are female, and have difficulty identifying and expressing feeling and difficulty tolerating doubt. As these psychological factors are more prominent in autism, we think this is important for physical and mental health providers to know about, so that these psychological factors can be considered when assessing and treating autistic people.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Alexithymia and intolerance of uncertainty predict somatic symptoms in autistic and non-autistic adults

Larkin

Ralston

Dinsdale

et al. 2022

Autism

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“…Regardless of the child’s age, ASD interventions should address related difficulties 60 and challenges brought about or exacerbated by existing comorbid conditions, such as emotional dysregulation, GI disturbances, 65 attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, 66 learning disability, 67 anxiety and depression, 68 , 69 sleep disturbances, 65 sensory sensitivities, 21 and motor difficulties. 70 Moreover, interventions may need to address the child’s challenging behaviors that can be aggravated by the presence of inflexible behaviors and/or thinking.…”

Section: Search Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For instance, language difficulties and hyperactivity that is often seen in younger children can shift to relational problems, mood dysregulation, and hypoactivity in adolescence and young adulthood. 19 – 21 In summary, characterizing ASD can be challenging, but progress has been made in refining diagnostic processes that can be addressed over the lifespan.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clinical impact of early diagnosis of autism on the prognosis and parent-child relationships

Elder¹,

Kreider

Brasher

et al. 2017

PRBM

210

110

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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a lifelong condition that usually appears in late infancy or early childhood, and is characterized by social and communication deficits that impede optimal functioning. Despite widespread research and greater public awareness, ASD has an unclear etiology and no known cure, making it difficult to acquire accurate and timely diagnoses. In addition, once an ASD diagnosis is made, parents find it challenging to navigate the healthcare system and determine which interventions are most effective and appropriate for their child. A growing body of evidence supports the value of early diagnosis and treatment with evidence-based interventions, which can significantly improve the quality of life of individuals with ASD as well as of their carers and families. Particularly noteworthy are early interventions that occur in natural surroundings and can be modified to address age-related goals throughout the lifespan. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to: 1) provide readers with a brief background related to ASD; 2) describe commonly used screening instruments and tools for early diagnosis; 3) describe early interventions that have empirical support; and 4) discuss how the parent–child and family relationships can be affected through this process. This information can provide professionals with information they can use to assist families who make critical and potentially life-changing decisions for children with ASD.

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“…Zerbo et al, 2019). It is reported that autistic persons face multiple challenges which are specific to autism, as it applies to accessing healthcare (Burke & Stoddart, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interventions to address health outcomes among autistic adults: A systematic review

Benevides

Shore

Andresen³

et al. 2020

Autism

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Research has shown that autistic adults have poor health outcomes. We conducted a systematic review to identify existing interventions to address health outcomes for autistic adults and to determine whether these interventions address the priorities of the autistic community. We searched PubMed for articles that included an intervention, a primary health outcome measured at the individual (not system) level, and a sample population of at least 50% autistic adults. Studies were excluded if they were not peer-reviewed, had a focus on caregivers, were expert opinions on specific interventions, untested protocols, or interventions without a primary health outcome. Out of the 778 articles reviewed, 19 were found to meet the stated criteria. Based on the evidence gathered, two were considered emerging evidence-based approaches: cognitive behavioral approaches and mindfulness. The remaining interventions included in the review did not have sufficient evidence to support current use with this population. The majority of the studies included samples of young autistic adults, primarily male, without an intellectual disability. Anxiety, quality of life, depression, and behavioral issues were among the health outcomes measured in the final included articles. More research on preferred interventions with prioritized health outcomes of the autistic adult population is needed. Lay abstract Autistic adults have more health problems then their same-aged peers. Yet little research has been conducted that focuses on addressing these health problems. In order to guide future research, it is important to know what intervention studies have been done to improve health outcomes among autistic adults. The project team and student assistants read studies that were published between 2007 and 2018 in the online research database, PubMed. We looked for studies published in English, which were peer-reviewed and included (1) an intervention, (2) an outcome that was related to health, and (3) a study group that included autistic adults. We did not include studies that had outcomes about employment (unless there was a health outcome), studies about caregivers or caregiving, or expert opinions about interventions. Of 778 reviewed articles, 19 studies met all of the criteria above. Within these studies, two approaches were found to have emerging evidence for their use in autistic adults: cognitive behavioral interventions and mindfulness-based approaches for improved mental health outcomes. The remaining intervention approaches did not have enough articles to support their use. Many of the outcomes were about reduced symptoms of co-occurring mental health diagnoses (e.g. reduced anxiety, depression). Most of the participants in these studies were male and did not have intellectual disability. Most study participants were adults younger than 40. There are not many intervention studies that address health outcomes among autistic adults. More research is needed on interventions which are desired by the adult autism community and address preferred health outcomes such as increased quality of life or well-being.

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Medical and Health Problems in Adults with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome

Cited by 11 publications

References 91 publications

Alexithymia and intolerance of uncertainty predict somatic symptoms in autistic and non-autistic adults

Alexithymia and intolerance of uncertainty predict somatic symptoms in autistic and non-autistic adults

Clinical impact of early diagnosis of autism on the prognosis and parent-child relationships

Interventions to address health outcomes among autistic adults: A systematic review

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