Is Older Age Associated with Higher Self- and Other-Rated ASD Characteristics?

Anne G Lever,Hilde M Geurts

doi:10.1007/s10803-017-3444-2

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) characteristics seem to abate over time, but whether this protracts until late adulthood is largely unknown. We cross-sectionally investigated self- and other-reported ASD characteristics of adults with (ASD: Nmax-self = 237, Nmax-other = 130) and without ASD (COM: Nmax-self = 198, Nmax-other = 148) aged 19–79 years. Within the ASD group, self-reported ASD characteristics, and sensory sensitivities were highest in middle adulthood, while age was not associated to empathy. Sex differences were also found. However, age-and sex-related differences were not revealed by others and self- and other-report were poorly concordant. These results show that ASD characteristics in adulthood are differently perceived across age, sex, and informants and suggest that it is important to repeatedly assess self-reported ASD characteristics during adulthood.

Highlights

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is considered a lifelong condition, there is evidence that behavioral ASD characteristics may abate over time (Magiati et al 2014; Seltzer et al 2004)
The groups did not differ in mean age, but the ASD group was composed of relatively more males than females as compared to the comparison group (COM) group
ASD characteristics are most pronounced in middle adulthood, comorbid psychopathology is frequently experienced in this life period (Lever and Geurts 2016b)

Summary

Introduction

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is considered a lifelong condition, there is evidence that behavioral ASD characteristics may abate over time (Magiati et al 2014; Seltzer et al 2004). Studies in children and young adults with ASD revealed that some might no longer meet ASD diagnostic criteria (Helles et al 2016; Louwerse et al 2015). Whether age-related differences in ASD characteristics are observed might depend on whether one focuses on specific ASD subdomains (e.g., Howlin et al 2013) or on

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