P02-204 - Autism spectrum disorder in adulthood - are we meeting the needs?

Abstract

Recent epidemiological studies report that Autism, or the so called “autism spectrum disorders” (ASD), have a prevalence of one percent. Increasingly, self-help groups as well as parent's initiatives have been complaining that specialist's services for diagnostics and therapy in adulthood are very limited. This study gives an overview about the situation of Specialists clinics for ASD diagnosis and interventions in University hospitals in Germany.MethodsA questionnaire, which was sent to the 33 German University Hospitals, was evaluated. Furthermore, we have evaluated the demographic data and diagnosis of the patients that presented themself at the Specialists Service for adults with Autisms spectrum disorders at the RWTH Aachen University “Aachen Autism Clinic for Adults” (AACA) within the first 18 months after it has been established.ResultsAt the time of the evaluation, only 9 University Hospitals offered a Specialists clinic for diagnostics and/or treatment for adults with ASD in Germany. A total number of 73 patients were seen at the Aachen Autism Clinic within the first 18 month after establishing this service.ConclusionThere is still great need of Specialists services at University Hospitals in Germany for adults with ASD.