British researchers have assessed the potential consequences of a late diagnosis of autism on the quality of life of adult patients.
- Autism spectrum disorders are usually diagnosed in childhood, but the diagnosis can also be made in adulthood.
- A British study has determined whether a late diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder could impact an adult’s quality of life.
- According to the results, there is no link between the age at which patients received their diagnosis and quality of life.
Nearly 700,000 people are affected by an autism spectrum disorder in France, according to the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm). These disorders are usually diagnosed in early childhood, but may also be detected in adulthood.
Autism: can late diagnosis affect quality of life?
A study from the University of Bath and King’s College London (UK) recently looked at late diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders and its impact on patients’ quality of life. This work was published in the scientific journal autism.
“More and more people find out they have autism for the first time in adulthood, which can be life changing. As we know many people with autism have very poor quality of life and well-being , the question arises whether finding out about autism earlier in life improves outcomes,” explained Lucy Livingston, co-author of the study, senior researcher at the University of Bath and lecturer in psychology at King’s College London.
“There is no link between the age at which people discovered their autism and their quality of life”
For the purposes of this research, the British researchers recruited 300 autistic adults. In particular, they asked them about the age at which they had received their diagnosis. The participants also had to provide precise information on their socio-demographic background (current age, sex, ethnic origin, job, household income, etc.) and on the potential presence of other mental health disorders. In a second step, the volunteers answered questions about their quality of life such as “To what extent do you think your life has meaning?” and “Are you satisfied with the support you receive from your friends?”.
According to the results, a late diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder has very little impact on quality of life. “For some people, learning they have autism sooner rather than later is linked to a better quality of life. For others, learning it later was better. Overall, there is no link between the age at which people discovered their autism and their quality of life.”underlined Lucy Livingston.