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Adult Outcomes in Autism: Community Inclusion and Living Skills

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Abstract

Longitudinal research has demonstrated that social outcomes for adults with autism are restricted, particularly in terms of employment and living arrangements. However, understanding of individual and environmental factors that influence these outcomes is far from complete. This longitudinal study followed a community sample of children and adolescents with autism into adulthood. Social outcomes in relation to community inclusion and living skills were examined, including the predictive role of a range of individual factors and the environment (socio-economic disadvantage). Overall, the degree of community inclusion and living skills was restricted for the majority, and while childhood IQ was an important determinant of these outcomes, it was not the sole predictor. The implications of these findings in relation to interventions are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia, Grant Numbers 912579, 954614, 113844 to Stewart Einfeld and Bruce Tonge. The authors would especially like to thank the families who have granted us the privilege of being a part of their lives for the past 18 years.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia

    Kylie M. Gray, Caroline M. Keating, John R. Taffe, Avril V. Brereton, Tessa C. Reardon & Bruce J. Tonge

  2. Monash Medical Centre, Early in Life Mental Health Service, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia

    Kylie M. Gray

  3. Faculty of Health Sciences, Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Stewart L. Einfeld

Authors
  1. Kylie M. Gray
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  2. Caroline M. Keating
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  4. Avril V. Brereton
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  5. Stewart L. Einfeld
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  6. Tessa C. Reardon
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  7. Bruce J. Tonge
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Correspondence to Kylie M. Gray.

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Gray, K.M., Keating, C.M., Taffe, J.R. et al. Adult Outcomes in Autism: Community Inclusion and Living Skills. J Autism Dev Disord 44, 3006–3015 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2159-x

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