Intervention Services for Autistic Adults: An ASDEU Study of Autistic Adults, Carers, and Professionals' Experiences

J Autism Dev Disord. 2022 Apr;52(4):1623-1639. doi: 10.1007/s10803-021-05038-0. Epub 2021 May 8.

Abstract

The Autism Spectrum Disorders in the European Union (ASDEU) survey investigated local services' use experiences of autistic adults, carers and professionals with interventions for autistic adults. The majority of the 697 participants experienced recommended considerations prior to deciding on intervention and during the intervention plan and implementation. Psychosocial interventions were the most commonly experienced interventions, while pharmacological interventions NOT recommended for core autistic symptoms were reported by fairly large proportions of participants. Family interventions were experienced slightly more commonly by carers than adults or professionals. Less than the 26% of autistic adult responders who had experienced challenging behaviors reported receiving an intervention to change them. These results provide insights for improving gaps in service provision of interventions among autistic adults.

Keywords: Adults; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Interventions; Services.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder* / psychology
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder* / therapy
  • Autistic Disorder* / psychology
  • Caregivers
  • European Union
  • Humans
  • Surveys and Questionnaires