Re-Examining the Association between the Age of Learning One Is Autistic and Adult Outcomes
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| Title: | Re-Examining the Association between the Age of Learning One Is Autistic and Adult Outcomes |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Florence Y. N. Leung (ORCID |
| Source: | Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. 2024 28(2):433-448. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 16 |
| Publication Date: | 2024 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Autism Spectrum Disorders, Adults, Identification, Clinical Diagnosis, Age, Foreign Countries, Socioeconomic Status, Participant Characteristics, Quality of Life, Well Being |
| Geographic Terms: | United Kingdom |
| DOI: | 10.1177/13623613231173056 |
| ISSN: | 1362-3613 1461-7005 |
| Abstract: | It was recently reported that learning one is autistic earlier in life is associated with greater quality of life and well-being in university students. In a pre-registered extension of this work, we addressed several limitations of this study by: (1) recruiting a larger sample of more diverse ages and education levels; (2) distinguishing between learning about and receiving an autism diagnosis; (3) accounting for additional confounding variables; and (4) studying different quality of life dimensions. Autistic adults (N = 300) reported when they first learned they were autistic, as well as when they actually received an autism diagnosis, and provided detailed socio-demographic information. Participants also completed measures of their autistic traits, as well as well-being and quality of life across multiple domains. In contrast to recent research, we found the age participants first learned they were autistic did not significantly and uniquely predict their quality of life and well-being. Rather, having more autistic traits was the strongest predictor of poorer quality of life and well-being, while other socio-demographic factors were also relevant. We discuss the implications of these findings for understanding and improving outcomes in autistic adults and call for higher quality open science on this important topic. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2024 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1411386 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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| Abstract: | It was recently reported that learning one is autistic earlier in life is associated with greater quality of life and well-being in university students. In a pre-registered extension of this work, we addressed several limitations of this study by: (1) recruiting a larger sample of more diverse ages and education levels; (2) distinguishing between learning about and receiving an autism diagnosis; (3) accounting for additional confounding variables; and (4) studying different quality of life dimensions. Autistic adults (N = 300) reported when they first learned they were autistic, as well as when they actually received an autism diagnosis, and provided detailed socio-demographic information. Participants also completed measures of their autistic traits, as well as well-being and quality of life across multiple domains. In contrast to recent research, we found the age participants first learned they were autistic did not significantly and uniquely predict their quality of life and well-being. Rather, having more autistic traits was the strongest predictor of poorer quality of life and well-being, while other socio-demographic factors were also relevant. We discuss the implications of these findings for understanding and improving outcomes in autistic adults and call for higher quality open science on this important topic. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1362-3613 1461-7005 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/13623613231173056 |
