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Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders pp 239–267Cite as

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

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Abstract

Adults on the autism spectrum experience a wide range of medical and health problems—some at a higher prevalence compared with the general population. Although these problems can significantly affect quality of life, information on medical comorbidities for this group is sparse, and general knowledge of disorders associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in community-based medical settings is lacking. In this chapter, we review medical and health problems experienced by adults with ASD. We begin this discussion by examining possible risk factors associated with health problems in this group, in addition to the current literature on prevalence rates of specific disorders. The focus of this chapter is on those who have historically been identified with “high-functioning autism” or Asperger syndrome.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Redpath Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Lillian Burke Ph.D.

  2. The Redpath Centre and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Kevin P. Stoddart Ph.D.

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  1. Lillian Burke Ph.D.
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  2. Kevin P. Stoddart Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Kevin P. Stoddart Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Child Study Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

    Fred R. Volkmar

  2. AJ Pappanikou Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, USA

    Brian Reichow

  3. Child Study Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

    James C. McPartland

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Burke, L., Stoddart, K.P. (2014). Medical and Health Problems in Adults with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome. In: Volkmar, F., Reichow, B., McPartland, J. (eds) Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0506-5_12

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