Service Needs Across the Lifespan for Individuals with Autism

Abstract

The goal of this research was to examine reported service needs among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) of all ages. Data were generated from a state survey that queried the needs of children, adolescents and adults with ASD. Logistic regression was used to compare service use and need among these age groups. Adults with ASD were less likely to be receiving multiple types of services, and more likely to have a need for services. These findings demonstrate that adults with ASD have more and different needs for services. These results can inform policy and program planning to put in place the services adults with ASD need.

Identifying the clinical needs and patterns of health service use of adolescent girls and women with autism spectrum disorder

“…Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often have complex care needs necessitating a wide range of services across the lifespan [Cidav, Lawer, Marcus, & Mandell, 2013;Turcotte, Mathew, Shea, Brusilovskiy, & Nonnemacher, 2016]. While girls and women in the general population present with a distinct profile of clinical needs and use more associated health services compared to boys and men [Garland et al, 2005;Ladwig, Marten-Mittag, Formanek, & Dammann, 2000;Rhodes, Goering, To, & Williams, 2002], sex/gender 1 specific service experiences among individuals with ASD remain largely unknown.…”

A Survey of Occupational Therapy Services Provided for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…As individuals with ASD age, they tend to experience a decline in the receipt of most services in the school system Laxman et al, 2019;Taylor & Henninger, 2015;Turcotte et al, 2016). After high school, when the entitlements associated with IDEA are no longer available, this decline is more dramatic (Laxman et al, 2019;Shattuck et al, 2011;Turcotte et al, 2016) and is often referred to as the service cliff (Turcotte et al, 2016). For parents of young adults with ASD, the loss of entitlements has been described as a jarring and overwhelming experience for which they are ill prepared (Anderson et al, 2018).…”

“…For children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), occupational therapy is the third most frequently provided service in the United States, following speech-language pathology and social skills training (Zablotsky et al, 2015). In contrast, occupational therapy services along with speech-language pathology, one-to-one support, and social skills training are the most common areas of unmet need for adults with ASD (Turcotte et al, 2016). The proportion of adults with ASD receiving occupational therapy services after high school ranges from almost none (Laxman et al, 2019) to 15% Gotham et al, 2015;Turcotte et al, 2016).…”

“…Examining the existing service use patterns of individuals with ASD and how they change over time will inform the design of future occupational therapy services (Turcotte et al, 2016). The purpose of the present study was to examine the breadth of services provided for adults with ASD by occupational therapists in the United States.…”

An exploration from a life course perspective of the transition from school for autistic young people ​​​​​​​

“…Autism, however, is a lifelong condition, with support still required into adulthood, and the type of supports needed may change across the autistic person's life course (Turcotte, Mathew, Shea, Brusilovskiy & Nonnemacher, 2016). people to find a sense of belonging within society and using interests and strengths throughout their life course to foster leisure and/ support employment.…”