Login Register Cart 0
Generic placeholder image

Current Pharmaceutical Design

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1381-6128
ISSN (Online): 1873-4286

Back
Journal Home About Journal Editorial Board Journal Insight Current Issue Volumes/Issues
Subscribe
Review Article

Aging and Autism: Understanding, Intervention and Proposals to Improve Quality of Life

Author(s): Victor Ruggieri*, José Luis Cuesta Gómez, María Merino Martínez and Claudia Arberas

Volume 25, Issue 41, 2019

Page: [4454 - 4461] Pages: 8

DOI: 10.2174/1381612825666191204165117

Price: $65

Abstract

Background: The population with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been increasing and is currently estimated to be 1 in 58 births. The increased prevalence of ASD together with the lack of knowledge on the processes of aging in this population, the support needed at this stage of life, and the associated risk factors, have led to an urgent need for further research.

Methods: This study provides a review of the literature on social- and health-related conditions that may appear when persons with ASD grow old.

Results: In addition to the autism-related conditions, different neurological, genetic, and environmental factors may be involved in the process of aging. In this complex setting, this study provides proposals that may guide the development of support services that may improve the quality of life for aging people with ASD.

Conclusion: Aging in ASD is emerging as a growing problem, which requires immediate planning and targetted treatment development.

Keywords: Autism, aging, health deterioration, cognitive decline, mortality, interventions.

« Previous
[1]
American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic criteria for autistic disorderDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association 2013.
[2]
C. D. C. Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 8 Years-Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 Sites, United States. 2018 [cited 2019 Jun 22 Available at:.https://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science- news/cdc-increases-estimate-autism%E2%80%99s-prevalence-15-percent-1-
[3]
James IA, Mukaetova-Ladinska E, Reichelt FK, Briel R, Scully A. Diagnosing Aspergers syndrome in the elderly: a series of case presentations. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2006; 21(10): 951-60.
[PMID: 16927399]
[4]
Bódalo E. Envejecimiento y discapacidad: una aproximación al caso español desde la perspectiva del bienestar social. Portularia. Revista Trab Soc (Santiago) 2006; 6(1): 67-78.
[5]
World Population Prospect ONU. United Nations 2017 Available at: https://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/Publications/Files/WPP2017_KeyFindings.pdf
[6]
Organización de Naciones Unidas (ONU). Convención Internacional de los Derechos de las Personas con Discapacidad 2006.http://www.convenciondiscapacidad.es/
[7]
España A. 2012.Autismo, calidad de vida, hoy http://www.autismo.org.es/proyectos/investigacion/calidad-de-vida
[8]
Hategan A, Bourgeois JA, Cheng T, Young J. Aging with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder.In: Geriatric Psychiatry Study Guide. Cham: Springer 2018; pp. 333-49.
[9]
Vidriales R, Martín S. Cómo asegurar mi tranquilidad Guía práctica para promover la seguridad jurídica de las personas mayores con Trastorno del Espectro del Autismo y sus familias. Madrid: Autismo España 2017.
[10]
Autism Canada. Aging and autism: A think tank round table 2017 Available at:.https://autismcanada.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/AC_2017-ThinkTank_Final.pdf
[11]
Howlin P, Moss P. Adults with autism spectrum disorders. Can J Psychiatry 2012; 57(5): 275-83.
[PMID: 22546059]
[12]
Buescher AV, Cidav Z, Knapp M, Mandell DS. Costs of autism spectrum disorders in the United Kingdom and the United States. JAMA Pediatr 2014; 168(8): 721-8.
[PMID: 24911948]
[13]
MacKay T, Knapp M, Boyle J, Iemmi V, Connolly M, Rehill A. The Microsegmentation of the Autism Spectrum: economic and research implications for Scotland. The Scottish Government 2018.
[14]
Roestorf A, Bowler DM, Deserno MK, et al. “Older adults with ASD: The consequences of aging.” Insights from a series of special interest group meetings held at the International Society for Autism Research 2016-2017. Res Autism Spectr Disord 2019; 63: 3-12.
[PMID: 31275429]
[15]
Mandell D. Dying before their time: addressing premature mortality among autistic people. Autism 2018; 22(3): 234-5.
[PMID: 29516745]
[16]
Cassidy S, Rodgers J. Understanding and prevention of suicide in autism. Lancet Psychiatry 2017; 4(6) e11
[PMID: 28551299]
[17]
Huguet G, Contejean Y, Doyen C. Autism spectrum disorder and suicidality. Encephale 2015; 41(4): 362-9.
[18]
Pickett J, Xiu E, Tuchman R, Dawson G, Lajonchere C. Mortality in individuals with autism, with and without epilepsy. J Child Neurol 2011; 26(8): 932-9.
[PMID: 21471551]
[19]
Mukaetova-Ladinska EB, Stuart-Hamilton I. Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): service user perspective on ageing transition(s). J Autism 2016; 2(1): 1-11.
[20]
Ruggieri V, Cuesta Gómez JL. Aging in people with autism spectrum disorder. Medicina (B Aires) 2018; 78(Suppl. 2): 69-74.
[21]
Bishop KM, Hogan M, Janicki MP, et al. Guidelines for dementia-related health advocacy for adults with intellectual disability and dementia: National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices. Intellect Dev Disabil 2015; 53(1): 2-29.
[PMID: 25633379]
[22]
Barnard-Brak L, Richman D, Yang Z. Age at death and comorbidity of dementia-related disorders among individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Adv Autism 2019; 5(4): 293-302.
[23]
Isager T, Mouridsen SE, Rich B. Mortality and causes of death in pervasive developmental disorders. Autism 1999; 3(1): 7-16.
[24]
Baron M, Baron S. Ageing with autism Improving health, improving rights Wright, Autism and Ageing: Epidemiology and Demographics. London, Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers 2016; pp. 91-104.
[25]
Shavelle RM, Strauss DJ, Pickett J. Causes of death in autism. J Autism Dev Disord 2001; 31(6): 569-76.
[PMID: 11814268]
[26]
Woolfenden S, Sarkozy V, Ridley G, Coory M, Williams K. A systematic review of two outcomes in autism spectrum disorder - epilepsy and mortality. Dev Med Child Neurol 2012; 54(4): 306-12.
[PMID: 22348343]
[27]
Schendel DE, Overgaard M, Christensen J, et al. Association of psychiatric and neurologic comorbidity with mortality among persons with autism spectrum disorder in a Danish population. JAMA Pediatr 2016; 170(3): 243-50.
[PMID: 26752506]
[28]
Croen LA, Zerbo O, Qian Y, et al. The health status of adults on the autism spectrum. Autism 2015; 19(7): 814-23.
[PMID: 25911091]
[29]
Bishop-Fitzpatrick L, Movaghar A, Greenberg JS, et al. Using machine learning to identify patterns of lifetime health problems in decedents with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2018; 11(8): 1120-8.
[PMID: 29734508]
[30]
Hedley D, Uljarević M. Systematic review of suicide in autism spectrum disorder: current trends and implications. Curr Dev Disord Rep 2018; 5(1): 65-76.
[31]
Shattuck PT, Roux AM, Hudson LE, Taylor JL, Maenner MJ, Trani JF. Services for adults with an autism spectrum disorder. Can J Psychiatry 2012; 57(5): 284-91.
[PMID: 22546060]
[32]
Hedley D, Uljarević M, Wilmot M, Richdale A, Dissanayake C. Brief report: social support, depression and suicidal ideation in adults with autism spectrum disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2017; 47(11): 3669-77.
[PMID: 28861661]
[33]
Michael C. Why we need research about autism and ageing. Autism 2016; 20(5): 515-6.
[PMID: 27141078]
[34]
Steinhausen HC, Mohr Jensen C, Lauritsen MB. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the long-term overall outcome of autism spectrum disorders in adolescence and adulthood. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2016; 133(6): 445-52.
[PMID: 26763353]
[35]
Pignatelli M, Feligioni M, Piccinin S, Molinaro G, Nicoletti F, Nisticò R. Synaptic plasticity as a therapeutic target in the treatment of autism-related single-gene disorders. Curr Pharm Des 2013; 19(36): 6480-90.
[PMID: 23432715]
[36]
Martínez MA, Cuesta JL. Todo sobre el autismo. Zaragoza: Altaria 2012.
[37]
Magiati I, Tay XW, Howlin P. Cognitive, language, social and behavioural outcomes in adults with autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review of longitudinal follow-up studies in adulthood. Clin Psychol Rev 2014; 34(1): 73-86.
[PMID: 24424351]
[38]
Vidriales R, Hernández C, Plaza M. Informe ejecutivo Envejecimiento y Trastorno del Espectro Autista “Una etapa vital invisible. Madrid: Autismo España 2016.
[39]
Waldron DA, Coyle CE, Kramer J, Jeckel D. Supporting pioneers: Building better networks for adults aging with Autism. Innov Aging 2018; 2(1): 804.
[40]
Mukaetova-Ladinska EB, Perry E, Baron M, Povey C. Ageing in people with autistic spectrum disorder. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2012; 27(2): 109-18.
[PMID: 21538534]
[41]
Happé F, Charlton RA. Aging in autism spectrum disorders: a mini-review. Gerontology 2012; 58(1): 70-8.
[PMID: 21865667]
[42]
Piven J, Rabins P. Autism spectrum disorders in older adults: toward defining a research agenda. J Am Geriatr Soc 2011; 59(11): 2151-5.
[PMID: 22091837]
[43]
Abbott P, Happé FG, Charlton RA. Exploratory study of executive function abilities across the adult lifespan in individuals receiving an ASD diagnosis in adulthood. J Autism Dev Disord 2018; 48(12): 4193-206.
[PMID: 29980900]
[44]
Howlin P, Taylor JL. Addressing the need for high quality research on autism in adulthood. Autism 2015; 19(7): 771-3.
[PMID: 26649371]
[45]
Povey C, Mills R, Gomez de la Cuesta G. Autism and ageing: issues for the future. Clin Pract 2011; 41: 230-2.
[46]
Wise EA, Smith MD, Rabins PV. Aging and autism spectrum disorder: a naturalistic, longitudinal study of the comorbidities and behavioral and neuropsychiatric symptoms in adults with ASD. J Autism Dev Disord 2017; 47(6): 1708-15.
[PMID: 28303420]
[47]
Guan J, Li G. Injury mortality in individuals with autism. Am J Public Health 2017; 107(5): 791-3.
[PMID: 28323463]
[48]
Charman T, Jones CRG, Pickles A, Simonoff E, Baird G, Happé F. Defining the cognitive phenotype of autism. Brain Res 2011; 1380: 10-21.
[PMID: 21029728]
[49]
Gillberg C, Billstedt E, Sundh V, Gillberg IC. Mortality in autism: a prospective longitudinal community-based study. J Autism Dev Disord 2010; 40(3): 352-7.
[PMID: 19838782]
[50]
Hirvikoski T, Mittendorfer-Rutz E, Boman M, Larsson H, Lichtenstein P, Bolte S. Prematurea spectrum disorder 2016.
[51]
Mouridsen SE, Brønnum-Hansen H, Rich B, Isager T. Mortality and causes of death in autism spectrum disorders: an update. Autism 2008; 12(4): 403-14.
[PMID: 18579647]
[52]
Brugha T. Autism Spectrum Disorder in mid and later life Wright, Autism and Ageing: Epidemiology and Demographics. London, Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers 2016; pp. 334-44.
[53]
Mpaka DM, Okitundu DL, Ndjukendi AO, et al. Prevalence and comorbidities of autism among children referred to the outpatient clinics for neurodevelopmental disorders. Pan Afr Med J 2016; 25: 82-92.
[PMID: 28292045]
[54]
Szalavitz M. Aging out of autism. A new study suggest symptoms can fade with time. Time 2013; 181(4): 16.
[PMID: 23451364]
[55]
Emerson E, Baines S. Health inequalities and people with learning disabilities in the UK. Tizard Learn Disabil Rev 2011; 16(1): 42-8.
[56]
Lever AG, Geurts HM. Psychiatric co-occurring symptoms and disorders in young, middle-aged, and older adults with autism spectrum disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2016; 46(6): 1916-30.
[PMID: 26861713]
[57]
Hamilton S. The circumstances and support needs of older people with autism 2009 Available at:.http://www.asdinfowales.co.uk/resource/p_o_Older_people_with_ASD_-Research_Report_-_September_2009.pdf
[58]
Happé FG, Mansour H, Barrett P, Brown T, Abbott P, Charlton RA. Demographic and cognitive profile of individuals seeking a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in adulthood. J Autism Dev Disord 2016; 46(11): 3469-80.
[PMID: 27549589]
[59]
Abbott P, Happé FG, Charlton RA. Exploratory study of executive function abilities across the adult lifespan in individuals receiving an ASD diagnosis adulthood. J Autism Dev Disord 2018; 48(12): 4193-206.
[PMID: 29980900]
[60]
Baxter L. Cognitive and neural correlates of aging in autism spectrum disorder 2018 Available at:.https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/1043868.pdf
[61]
Wallace G, Yerys G, Peng C, Dlugi E, Anthony L. Assessment and treatment of executive function impairments in autism spectrum disorder: an update. Int Rev Res Dev Disabil 2016; 51: 85-122.
[62]
Braden BB, Smith CJ, Thompson A, et al. Executive function and functional and structural brain differences in middle-age adults with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2017; 10(12): 1945-59.
[PMID: 28940848]
[63]
Gavin R, Charlton A, Wallace L. Aging with elevated autistic traits: cognitive functioning among older adults with the broad autism phenotype. Res Autism Spectr Disord 2018; 54: 27-36.
[64]
Reskin D. Aging and assimilating into the community Building supports for mid and later life with autism Autism and ageing: epidemiology and demographics. London, Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers 2016; pp. 264-77.
[65]
Naciones Unidas Informe de la Segunda Asamblea Mundial sobre Envejecimiento. Naciones Unidas: Madrid 2002.
[66]
Turcotte P, Mathew M, Shea LL, Brusilovskiy E, Nonnemacher SL. Service needs across the lifespan for individuals with autism. J Autism Dev Disord 2016; 46(7): 2480-9.
[PMID: 27084080]
[67]
Hategan A, Bourgeois JA, Goldberg J. Aging with autism spectrum disorder: an emerging public health problem. Int Psychogeriatr 2017; 29(4): 695-7.
[PMID: 27669633]
[68]
Ayres M, Parr JR, Rodgers J, Mason D, Avery L, Flynn D. A systematic review of quality of life of adults on the autism spectrum. Autism 2018; 22(7): 774-83.
[PMID: 28805071]
[69]
van Heijst BF, Geurts HM. Quality of life in autism across the lifespan: a metaanalysis. Autism 2015; 19(2): 158-67.
[70]
Jones KB, Cottle K, Bakian A, et al. A description of medical conditions in adults with autism spectrum disorder: A follow-up of the 1980s Utah/UCLA Autism Epidemiologic Study. Autism 2016; 20(5): 551-61.
[71]
Bilder D, Botts EL, Smith KR, et al. Excess mortality and causes of death in autism spectrum disorders: a follow up of the 1980s Utah/UCLA autism epidemiologic study. J Autism Dev Disord 2013; 43(5): 1196-204.
[PMID: 23008058]
[72]
Horowitz LM, Thurm A, Farmer C, et al. Talking about death or suicide: prevalence and clinical correlates in youth with autism spectrum disorder in de psychiatric inpatient setting. J Autism Dev Disord 2018; 48(11): 3702-10.
[PMID: 28624965]
[73]
Fombonne E. Autism in adult life. Can J Psychiatry 2012; 57(5): 273-4.
[PMID: 22546058]
[74]
Ayanouglou F. Évolution de personnes adultes avec autisme et déficience intellectuelle: étude retrospect Available at https://halshs.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00817991/document2018
[75]
Okoro CA, Hollis ND, Cyrus AC, Griffin-Blake S. Prevalence of disabilities and health care access by disability status and type among adults - United States, 2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018; 67(32): 882-7.
[PMID: 30114005]
[76]
Wright SD, Wright CA, D’Astous V, Wadsworth AM. Autism aging. Gerontol Geriatr Educ 2016; 1-17.
[PMID: 27749163]
[77]
Hwang YIJ, Foley KR, Trollor JN. Aging well on the autism spectrum: the perspectives of autistic adults and carers. Int Psychogeriatr 2017; 29(12): 2033-46.
[PMID: 28797309]
[78]
Lawton MP, Simon B. The ecology of social relationships in housing for the elderly. Gerontologist 1968; 8(2): 108-15.
[PMID: 5657480]
[79]
Farley MA, McMahon WM, Fombonne E, et al. Twenty-year outcome for individuals with autism and average or near-average cognitive abilities. Autism Res 2009; 2(2): 109-18.
[PMID: 19455645]
[80]
Vidriales R, Cuesta JL, Plaza M, Hernández C. Personas con Trastorno del Espectro del Autismo con necesidades intensas y generalizadas de apoyo: estrategias para mejorar su calidad de vida. Revista Española de Discapacidad 2015; 3(2): 101-15.
[81]
OMS. WHOQOL-BREF & Disabilities Module 2011 Available at:.https://www.who.int/mental_health/evidence/WHOQOL_DIS_ID_Intellectual_Disabilities.pdf?ua=1
[82]
Renty JO, Roeyers H. Quality of life in high-functioning adults with autism spectrum disorder: The predictive value of disability and support characteristics. Autism 2006; 10(5): 511-24.
[PMID: 16940316]
[83]
Loveridge J. Involving children and young people in research in educational settings Nueva Zelanda. Ministry of Education 2010.
[84]
Cuesta JL. Trastornos del espectro autista y calidad de vida Guía de indicadores para evaluar organizaciones y servicios. Madrid: La Muralla 2009.
[85]
OMS - Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) Informe Mundial sobre el envejecimiento y Salud.; Estados Unidos de América 2015.
[86]
Vidriales R, Hernández C, Plaza M, Gutiérrez C, Cuesta JL. Calidad de vida y Trastorno del Espectro del Autismo. Madrid: Autismo España 2017.
[87]
Estatal CERMI. El envejecimiento de las personas con discapacidad. Madrid: Cermi 2012.
[88]
Krahn GL, Walker DK, Correa-De-Araujo R. Persons with disabilities as an unrecognized health disparity population. Am J Public Health 2015; 105(Suppl. 2): S198-206.
[PMID: 25689212]
[89]
Arberas C, Ruggieri V. [Autism and epigenetics. A model of explanation for the understanding of the genesis in autism spectrum disorders Medicina (B Aires) 2013; 73(1)(Suppl. 1): 20-9.
[PMID: 24072048]
[90]
Warner G, Moss J, Smith P, Howlin P. Autism characteristics and behavioural disturbances in ~ 500 children with Down’s syndrome in England and Wales. Autism Res 2014; 7(4): 433-41.
[PMID: 24664986]
[91]
Philippart M. Angelman syndrome from infancy to old age. In: Ninth Biennial Angelman Syndrome Conference USA. Anaheim, CA 2005.
[92]
Ziats CA, Grosvenor LP, Sarasua SM, et al. Functional genomics analysis of Phelan-McDermid syndrome 22q13 region during human neurodevelopment. PLoS One 2019; 14(3) e0213921
[PMID: 30875393]
[93]
Cianfaglione R, Clarke A, Kerr M, Hastings RP, Oliver C, Felce D. Ageing in Rett syndrome. J Intellect Disabil Res 2016; 60(2): 182-90.
[PMID: 26373460]
[94]
Burgos A. Actas del Congreso; Autismo, una mirada hacia el futuro. Burgos: Autismo Burgos 2019.

Rights & Permissions Print Cite
Article Metrics
18
2
© 2024 Bentham Science Publishers | Privacy Policy