ORCID Profile
0000-0003-0961-8475
Current Organisation
Deakin University
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Publisher: Wiley
Date: 16-09-2021
DOI: 10.1002/AUR.2610
Abstract: Autism diagnosis in adulthood has become increasingly common due to a range of factors including changes in awareness, diagnostic criteria, and professional practices. Past research identified a range of demographic and autism‐related factors associated with autism diagnosis age in children. However, it is unclear whether these apply to autistic adults. This study aimed to examine predictors of autism diagnosis age in adults while controlling for current age and autistic traits. We used a cross‐sectional s le of 657 adults aged 15–80 from three self and carer‐report studies: the Australian Longitudinal Study of Autism in Adulthood (ALSAA), Study of Australian School‐Leavers with Autism (SASLA) and Pathways, Predictors and Impact of Receiving an Autism Spectrum Diagnosis in Adulthood (Pathways). Using hierarchical multiplicative heteroscedastic regression, we found that older current age and higher self‐reported autistic traits predicted older diagnosis age, and that female gender, lack of intellectual disability, language other than English, family history of autism, lifetime depression, and no obsessive–compulsive disorder predicted older diagnosis age beyond current age and autistic traits. The paradoxical relationship between high autistic traits and older diagnosis age requires further investigation. Based on these findings, we recommended strategies to improve autism recognition in women and people from non‐English‐speaking backgrounds. Future studies could extend the findings by examining the effects of childhood and adulthood socioeconomic status on adult diagnosis age. We studied the relationship between age at autism diagnosis and other characteristics in adults. We found that both older current age and higher autistic traits, female gender, language other than English, family history of autism, and history of depression were related to older age at diagnosis, while intellectual disability and history of obsessive–compulsive disorder were related to younger age at diagnosis. Our findings suggest more work is needed to help recognize autism in women and people from non‐English‐speaking backgrounds.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 28-02-2020
Abstract: More adults are undergoing autism assessment due to recent changes in awareness, diagnostic criteria and professional practices. This scoping review aimed to summarise research on autism diagnosis in adulthood and identify any gaps for future study. The authors searched for studies involving first-time assessment and diagnosis of autism in adults, which identified 82 studies from 13 countries using various methodologies. Six themes of (1) prevalence, (2) diagnostic pathways and processes, (3) gender, (4) psychosocial characteristics, (5) co-occurring conditions and (6) experiences of diagnosis were identified across the studies. Findings suggest that receiving an autism diagnosis has a significant emotional impact on adults, but accessibility and processes are inconsistent, and formal support services are lacking. More research is needed on autism diagnosis in adults with intellectual disability, consequences of the timing of diagnosis, and support after diagnosis. More adults are getting assessed for possible autism. Here, we give an overview on what is already known about autism diagnosis in adulthood and find areas that need more research. We ided results from the studies we found into six topics of (1) rates of autism in different groups (2) the process of getting an autism diagnosis in adulthood (3) gender (4) personality traits, abilities and behaviours of diagnosed adults (5) mental and physical health conditions that occur together with autism and (6) how adults think and feel about being assessed and diagnosed. We found that adults often have strong emotions after being diagnosed, the process of getting a diagnosis can be unclear and different for everyone, and not many support services are available for adults. More research on diagnosing adults with intellectual disability, differences between early and late-diagnosed adults, and support after diagnosis would be useful.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 09-07-2021
DOI: 10.1007/S10803-021-05169-4
Abstract: Pathways to diagnosis in adulthood are poorly understood. Even less is known about undiagnosed adults who believe they may be autistic. This mixed-methods online survey examined adults' journeys from initial concern to receiving the diagnosis. Quantitative findings showed the diagnostic process to be highly heterogeneous. Qualitative analysis identified desires for explanation and support as motives for seeking diagnosis. Cost and fear of not being taken seriously were major barriers, echoed by qualitative responses that described the process as confusing, expensive and time-consuming. While most participants were satisfied with the diagnosis, their emotional reactions were complex. Findings support the need for thoroughly implementing national guidelines, and for improved knowledge and communication in mainstream clinicians encountering clients with possible autism characteristics.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 03-01-2022
DOI: 10.1007/S10803-021-05384-Z
Abstract: As autism is an invisible and often stigmatised condition, disclosing the diagnosis may lead to both support and/or discrimination. This mixed-methods questionnaire study examined autistic adults' experiences of disclosure in various contexts. The s le consisted of 393 participants aged 17-83 years from two longitudinal surveys. Almost all participants disclosed their diagnosis to someone, most commonly to friends. A significant minority of participants studying and/or working at the time had not disclosed to their education provider/employer. Content analysis of open-ended responses showed participants desired to gain understanding and support from disclosure but feared prejudice. While some received support, others encountered dismissiveness and misunderstanding. Findings highlight the need to improve autism understanding and reduce stigma within and beyond educational and employment contexts.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 09-12-2022
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 12-09-2023
Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert Inc
Date: 13-01-2023
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 21-11-2022
DOI: 10.1007/S10803-022-05811-9
Abstract: This study aimed to explore experiences of support after adulthood autism diagnosis. In this mixed-methods survey study of 137 adults, we found that most common formal supports received were counselling and mental health. Common unmet support needs were sensory sensitivities and accessing other services. Cost, lack of information, and fear of not being taken seriously were common barriers. Informal support was mainly helpful for self-understanding and emotions toward diagnosis. Qualitative findings included difficulties accessing formal support, need for practical quality-of-life supports and support from autistic peers and online communities. Based on these findings, future development of supportive interventions should address unmet needs, improve access, and explore the integration of autistic peer support and online support into formal services.
Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert Inc
Date: 03-2020
No related grants have been discovered for Yunhe Huang.