Academic learning challenges and links to vocational outcomes in young autistic adults / Diego ARAGON-GUEVARA ; Goldie A. MCQUAID ; Gregory L. WALLACE ; Nancy Raitano LEE in Autism, 28-12 (December 2024)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism > 28-12 (December 2024) . - p.3143-3155 Titre : Academic learning challenges and links to vocational outcomes in young autistic adults Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Diego ARAGON-GUEVARA, Auteur ; Goldie A. MCQUAID, Auteur ; Gregory L. WALLACE, Auteur ; Nancy Raitano LEE, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.3143-3155 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : adult  autism spectrum disorders  cognition (attention  learning  memory)  vocational/labor force participation Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Obtaining and maintaining employment can be a challenge for autistic adults and learning challenges may be related to vocational outcomes in this population. The present study sought to evaluate the Learning Needs Screening Tool to identify autistic job seekers who may benefit from additional services to obtain employment. A total of 401 autistic adults participated in this study. Internal consistency of Learning Needs Screening Tool items was evaluated. A principal component analysis was then completed to understand the measure?s factor structure and evaluations of external validity were completed. Evaluation of the screening items of the Learning Needs Screening Tool revealed high internal consistency. Three factors (Orthography, Arithmetic, and Retrospective Learning and Service Receipt) emerged. Overall, 56% of the sample screened positive on the Learning Needs Screening Tool, indicating a history of learning challenges. Analysis of history of special education receipt and vocational outcomes showed strong external validity for the measure. Results support the utility of the Learning Needs Screening Tool as a possible screening tool to evaluate learning challenges in autistic job seekers. As those who screened positive were more likely to have no vocational/educational activities, knowledge of retrospective learning needs may help vocational counselors identify autistic adults who need greater supports when seeking and obtaining jobs. Lay abstract Finding a job can be hard for autistic adults. No studies have been completed that look into whether having difficulties learning and troubles finding a job are related in this population. The current study did so by evaluating the Learning Needs Screening Tool, a measure of learning challenges used in vocational rehabilitation settings, or places meant to help people find work. A total of 401 autistic adults completed this study online. Specifically, the study evaluated (a) the characteristics of the Learning Needs Screening Tool, including the relationships between questions that ask about similar learning challenges, and (b) the ability of the measure to relate to real-world outcomes that are associated with learning difficulties, namely prior special education receipt and difficulties finding a job. Evaluation of the questions asked on the Learning Needs Screening Tool revealed that they were highly related and that learning difficulties fell into different categories. Fifty-six percent of the people in the study showed learning challenges on the measure. People who were identified as having learning difficulties on the Learning Needs Screening Tool had higher rates of receiving special education services in the past and lower rates of current employment. These results suggest that the Learning Needs Screening Tool may help to identify autistic job seekers who have learning difficulties and may have more challenges finding a job. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613241255774 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=543 [article] Academic learning challenges and links to vocational outcomes in young autistic adults [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Diego ARAGON-GUEVARA, Auteur ; Goldie A. MCQUAID, Auteur ; Gregory L. WALLACE, Auteur ; Nancy Raitano LEE, Auteur . - p.3143-3155. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism > 28-12 (December 2024) . - p.3143-3155 Mots-clés : adult  autism spectrum disorders  cognition (attention  learning  memory)  vocational/labor force participation Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Obtaining and maintaining employment can be a challenge for autistic adults and learning challenges may be related to vocational outcomes in this population. The present study sought to evaluate the Learning Needs Screening Tool to identify autistic job seekers who may benefit from additional services to obtain employment. A total of 401 autistic adults participated in this study. Internal consistency of Learning Needs Screening Tool items was evaluated. A principal component analysis was then completed to understand the measure?s factor structure and evaluations of external validity were completed. Evaluation of the screening items of the Learning Needs Screening Tool revealed high internal consistency. Three factors (Orthography, Arithmetic, and Retrospective Learning and Service Receipt) emerged. Overall, 56% of the sample screened positive on the Learning Needs Screening Tool, indicating a history of learning challenges. Analysis of history of special education receipt and vocational outcomes showed strong external validity for the measure. Results support the utility of the Learning Needs Screening Tool as a possible screening tool to evaluate learning challenges in autistic job seekers. As those who screened positive were more likely to have no vocational/educational activities, knowledge of retrospective learning needs may help vocational counselors identify autistic adults who need greater supports when seeking and obtaining jobs. Lay abstract Finding a job can be hard for autistic adults. No studies have been completed that look into whether having difficulties learning and troubles finding a job are related in this population. The current study did so by evaluating the Learning Needs Screening Tool, a measure of learning challenges used in vocational rehabilitation settings, or places meant to help people find work. A total of 401 autistic adults completed this study online. Specifically, the study evaluated (a) the characteristics of the Learning Needs Screening Tool, including the relationships between questions that ask about similar learning challenges, and (b) the ability of the measure to relate to real-world outcomes that are associated with learning difficulties, namely prior special education receipt and difficulties finding a job. Evaluation of the questions asked on the Learning Needs Screening Tool revealed that they were highly related and that learning difficulties fell into different categories. Fifty-six percent of the people in the study showed learning challenges on the measure. People who were identified as having learning difficulties on the Learning Needs Screening Tool had higher rates of receiving special education services in the past and lower rates of current employment. These results suggest that the Learning Needs Screening Tool may help to identify autistic job seekers who have learning difficulties and may have more challenges finding a job. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613241255774 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=543

Cardiovascular disease risk factors in autistic adults: The impact of sleep quality and antipsychotic medication use / Lauren BISHOP in Autism Research, 16-3 (March 2023)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism Research > 16-3 (March 2023) . - p.569-579 Titre : Cardiovascular disease risk factors in autistic adults: The impact of sleep quality and antipsychotic medication use Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Lauren BISHOP, Auteur ; Rebecca A. CHARLTON, Auteur ; Kiley J. MCLEAN, Auteur ; Goldie A. MCQUAID, Auteur ; Nancy Raitano LEE, Auteur ; Gregory L. WALLACE, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.569-579 Langues : Anglais (eng) Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Abstract Approximately 40% of American adults are affected by cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors (e.g., high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and overweight or obesity), and risk among autistic adults may be even higher. Mechanisms underlying the high prevalence of CVD risk factors in autistic people may include known correlates of CVD risk factors in other groups, including high levels of perceived stress, poor sleep quality, and antipsychotic medication use. A sample of 545 autistic adults without intellectual disability aged 18+ were recruited through the Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research, Research Match. Multiple linear regression models examined the association between key independent variables (self-reported perceived stress, sleep quality, and antipsychotic medication use) and CVD risk factors, controlling for demographic variables (age, sex assigned at birth, race, low-income status, autistic traits). Overall, 73.2% of autistic adults in our sample had an overweight/obesity classification, 45.3% had high cholesterol, 39.4% had high blood pressure, and 10.3% had diabetes. Older age, male sex assigned at birth, and poorer sleep quality were associated with a higher number of CVD risk factors. Using antipsychotic medications was associated with an increased likelihood of having diabetes. Poorer sleep quality was associated with an increased likelihood of having an overweight/obesity classification. Self-reported CVD risk factors are highly prevalent among autistic adults. Both improving sleep quality and closely monitoring CVD risk factors among autistic adults who use antipsychotic medications have the potential to reduce risk for CVD. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2872 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=498 [article] Cardiovascular disease risk factors in autistic adults: The impact of sleep quality and antipsychotic medication use [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Lauren BISHOP, Auteur ; Rebecca A. CHARLTON, Auteur ; Kiley J. MCLEAN, Auteur ; Goldie A. MCQUAID, Auteur ; Nancy Raitano LEE, Auteur ; Gregory L. WALLACE, Auteur . - p.569-579. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism Research > 16-3 (March 2023) . - p.569-579 Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Abstract Approximately 40% of American adults are affected by cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors (e.g., high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and overweight or obesity), and risk among autistic adults may be even higher. Mechanisms underlying the high prevalence of CVD risk factors in autistic people may include known correlates of CVD risk factors in other groups, including high levels of perceived stress, poor sleep quality, and antipsychotic medication use. A sample of 545 autistic adults without intellectual disability aged 18+ were recruited through the Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research, Research Match. Multiple linear regression models examined the association between key independent variables (self-reported perceived stress, sleep quality, and antipsychotic medication use) and CVD risk factors, controlling for demographic variables (age, sex assigned at birth, race, low-income status, autistic traits). Overall, 73.2% of autistic adults in our sample had an overweight/obesity classification, 45.3% had high cholesterol, 39.4% had high blood pressure, and 10.3% had diabetes. Older age, male sex assigned at birth, and poorer sleep quality were associated with a higher number of CVD risk factors. Using antipsychotic medications was associated with an increased likelihood of having diabetes. Poorer sleep quality was associated with an increased likelihood of having an overweight/obesity classification. Self-reported CVD risk factors are highly prevalent among autistic adults. Both improving sleep quality and closely monitoring CVD risk factors among autistic adults who use antipsychotic medications have the potential to reduce risk for CVD. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2872 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=498

Co-occurring ADHD symptoms in autistic adults are associated with less independence in daily living activities and lower subjective quality of life / Benjamin E. YERYS in Autism, 26-8 (November 2022)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism > 26-8 (November 2022) . - p.2188-2195 Titre : Co-occurring ADHD symptoms in autistic adults are associated with less independence in daily living activities and lower subjective quality of life Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Benjamin E. YERYS, Auteur ; Goldie A. MCQUAID, Auteur ; Nancy Raitano LEE, Auteur ; Gregory L. WALLACE, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.2188-2195 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : Adult  Humans  Female  Male  Attention Deficit Disorder with  Hyperactivity/complications/epidemiology/diagnosis  Autistic Disorder/complications/epidemiology/diagnosis  Activities of Daily Living/psychology  Quality of Life  Autism Spectrum Disorder/complications/epidemiology/diagnosis  attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder  autism  daily living skills Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Outcomes for autistic adults are generally poor, including activities of daily living and self-ratings of quality of life. Co-occurring psychiatric conditions contribute to these poor outcomes. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is one of the most common co-occurring conditions in autistic individuals. However, we know little about the association between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms and outcomes in autistic adults. A total of 724 autistic adults (18-83 years; 58% female) recruited from the Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research participant registry completed questionnaires on demographics, co-occurring psychiatric conditions, activities of daily living, and subjective quality of life. Autistic adults who rated themselves as having more attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms also rated themselves as having less independence in activities of daily living and a lower quality of life. This is the first study to show these relationships in autistic adults. These findings highlight that additional research and better supports for co-occurring attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms may be critical to improving independence and quality of life for autistic adults. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613221112198 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=488 [article] Co-occurring ADHD symptoms in autistic adults are associated with less independence in daily living activities and lower subjective quality of life [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Benjamin E. YERYS, Auteur ; Goldie A. MCQUAID, Auteur ; Nancy Raitano LEE, Auteur ; Gregory L. WALLACE, Auteur . - p.2188-2195. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism > 26-8 (November 2022) . - p.2188-2195 Mots-clés : Adult  Humans  Female  Male  Attention Deficit Disorder with  Hyperactivity/complications/epidemiology/diagnosis  Autistic Disorder/complications/epidemiology/diagnosis  Activities of Daily Living/psychology  Quality of Life  Autism Spectrum Disorder/complications/epidemiology/diagnosis  attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder  autism  daily living skills Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Outcomes for autistic adults are generally poor, including activities of daily living and self-ratings of quality of life. Co-occurring psychiatric conditions contribute to these poor outcomes. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is one of the most common co-occurring conditions in autistic individuals. However, we know little about the association between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms and outcomes in autistic adults. A total of 724 autistic adults (18-83 years; 58% female) recruited from the Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research participant registry completed questionnaires on demographics, co-occurring psychiatric conditions, activities of daily living, and subjective quality of life. Autistic adults who rated themselves as having more attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms also rated themselves as having less independence in activities of daily living and a lower quality of life. This is the first study to show these relationships in autistic adults. These findings highlight that additional research and better supports for co-occurring attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms may be critical to improving independence and quality of life for autistic adults. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613221112198 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=488

Gender, assigned sex at birth, and gender diversity: Windows into diagnostic timing disparities in autism / Goldie A. MCQUAID in Autism, 28-11 (November 2024)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism > 28-11 (November 2024) . - p.2806 - 2820 Titre : Gender, assigned sex at birth, and gender diversity: Windows into diagnostic timing disparities in autism Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Goldie A. MCQUAID, Auteur ; Allison B. RATTO, Auteur ; Allison JACK, Auteur ; Alexis KHUU, Auteur ; Jessica V. SMITH, Auteur ; Sean C. DUANE, Auteur ; Ann CLAWSON, Auteur ; Nancy Raitano LEE, Auteur ; Alyssa VERBALIS, Auteur ; Kevin A. PELPHREY, Auteur ; Lauren KENWORTHY, Auteur ; Gregory L. WALLACE, Auteur ; John F. STRANG, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.2806 - 2820 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : age at diagnosis  autism  diagnosis  gender  sex Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Later autism diagnosis is associated with increased mental health risks. Understanding disparities in diagnostic timing is important to reduce psychiatric burden for autistic people. One characteristic associated with later autism diagnosis is female sex assigned at birth. However, literature to date does not characterize, differentiate, or account for gender identity beyond assigned sex at birth. Gender diversity may be more common in autistic relative to neurotypical people, and autism is proportionally overrepresented in gender-diverse populations. We examined age at autism diagnosis by assigned sex at birth, gender identity, and gender diversity (gender-diverse vs cisgender) status, separately. Three independent cohorts representing different ascertainments were examined: a research-recruited academic medical center sample (N = 193; 8.0 - 18.0?years); a clinic-based sample (N = 1550; 1.3 - 25.4?years); and a community-enriched sample (N = 244, 18.2 - 30.0?years). The clinic-based and community-enriched samples revealed disparities in diagnostic timing: people assigned female at birth, people of female gender, and gender-diverse people were diagnosed with autism significantly later than persons assigned male at birth, persons of male gender, and cisgender persons, respectively. Birth-sex, gender identity, and gender diversity may each uniquely relate to disparities in autism diagnostic timing. The influence of ascertainment strategies, particularly in studies examining assigned sex at birth or gender identity, should be considered. Lay Abstract Later autism diagnosis is associated with risk for mental health problems. Understanding factors related to later autism diagnosis may help reduce mental health risks for autistic people. One characteristic associated with later autism diagnosis is female sex. However, studies often do not distinguish sex assigned at birth and gender identity. Gender diversity may be more common in autistic relative to neurotypical people, and autism is more common in gender-diverse populations. We studied age at autism diagnosis by sex assigned at birth, gender identity, and gender diversity (gender-diverse vs cisgender) status, separately. We studied three separate autistic samples, each of which differed in how they were diagnosed and how they were recruited. The samples included 193 persons (8.0 - 18.0?years) from a research-recruited academic medical center sample; 1,550 people (1.3 - 25.4?years) from a clinic-based sample; and 244 people (18.2 - 30.0?years) from a community-enriched sample. We found significant differences in the clinic-based and community-enriched samples. People assigned female sex at birth were diagnosed with autism significantly later than people assigned male at birth. People of female gender were diagnosed significantly later than people of male gender. Gender-diverse people were diagnosed significantly later than cisgender people. Sex assigned at birth, gender identity, and gender diversity may each show unique relationships with age of autism diagnosis. Differences in how autistic people are diagnosed and recruited are important to consider in studies that examine sex assigned at birth or gender identity. More research into autism diagnosis in adulthood is needed. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613241243117 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=537 [article] Gender, assigned sex at birth, and gender diversity: Windows into diagnostic timing disparities in autism [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Goldie A. MCQUAID, Auteur ; Allison B. RATTO, Auteur ; Allison JACK, Auteur ; Alexis KHUU, Auteur ; Jessica V. SMITH, Auteur ; Sean C. DUANE, Auteur ; Ann CLAWSON, Auteur ; Nancy Raitano LEE, Auteur ; Alyssa VERBALIS, Auteur ; Kevin A. PELPHREY, Auteur ; Lauren KENWORTHY, Auteur ; Gregory L. WALLACE, Auteur ; John F. STRANG, Auteur . - p.2806 - 2820. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism > 28-11 (November 2024) . - p.2806 - 2820 Mots-clés : age at diagnosis  autism  diagnosis  gender  sex Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Later autism diagnosis is associated with increased mental health risks. Understanding disparities in diagnostic timing is important to reduce psychiatric burden for autistic people. One characteristic associated with later autism diagnosis is female sex assigned at birth. However, literature to date does not characterize, differentiate, or account for gender identity beyond assigned sex at birth. Gender diversity may be more common in autistic relative to neurotypical people, and autism is proportionally overrepresented in gender-diverse populations. We examined age at autism diagnosis by assigned sex at birth, gender identity, and gender diversity (gender-diverse vs cisgender) status, separately. Three independent cohorts representing different ascertainments were examined: a research-recruited academic medical center sample (N = 193; 8.0 - 18.0?years); a clinic-based sample (N = 1550; 1.3 - 25.4?years); and a community-enriched sample (N = 244, 18.2 - 30.0?years). The clinic-based and community-enriched samples revealed disparities in diagnostic timing: people assigned female at birth, people of female gender, and gender-diverse people were diagnosed with autism significantly later than persons assigned male at birth, persons of male gender, and cisgender persons, respectively. Birth-sex, gender identity, and gender diversity may each uniquely relate to disparities in autism diagnostic timing. The influence of ascertainment strategies, particularly in studies examining assigned sex at birth or gender identity, should be considered. Lay Abstract Later autism diagnosis is associated with risk for mental health problems. Understanding factors related to later autism diagnosis may help reduce mental health risks for autistic people. One characteristic associated with later autism diagnosis is female sex. However, studies often do not distinguish sex assigned at birth and gender identity. Gender diversity may be more common in autistic relative to neurotypical people, and autism is more common in gender-diverse populations. We studied age at autism diagnosis by sex assigned at birth, gender identity, and gender diversity (gender-diverse vs cisgender) status, separately. We studied three separate autistic samples, each of which differed in how they were diagnosed and how they were recruited. The samples included 193 persons (8.0 - 18.0?years) from a research-recruited academic medical center sample; 1,550 people (1.3 - 25.4?years) from a clinic-based sample; and 244 people (18.2 - 30.0?years) from a community-enriched sample. We found significant differences in the clinic-based and community-enriched samples. People assigned female sex at birth were diagnosed with autism significantly later than people assigned male at birth. People of female gender were diagnosed significantly later than people of male gender. Gender-diverse people were diagnosed significantly later than cisgender people. Sex assigned at birth, gender identity, and gender diversity may each show unique relationships with age of autism diagnosis. Differences in how autistic people are diagnosed and recruited are important to consider in studies that examine sex assigned at birth or gender identity. More research into autism diagnosis in adulthood is needed. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613241243117 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=537

Increased anticholinergic medication use in middle-aged and older autistic adults and its associations with self-reported memory difficulties and cognitive decline / Goldie A. MCQUAID in Autism Research, 17-4 (April 2024)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism Research > 17-4 (April 2024) . - p.852-867 Titre : Increased anticholinergic medication use in middle-aged and older autistic adults and its associations with self-reported memory difficulties and cognitive decline Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Goldie A. MCQUAID, Auteur ; Sean C. DUANE, Auteur ; Neha AHMED, Auteur ; Nancy Raitano LEE, Auteur ; Rebecca CHARLTON, Auteur ; Gregory L. WALLACE, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.852-867 Langues : Anglais (eng) Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Abstract Many commonly used prescription and over-the-counter medicines have potent anticholinergic (AC) effects. Among older adults, AC medications are associated with cognitive impairment and risk for cognitive disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. Collectively, the impact of AC medications is known as anticholinergic cognitive burden (ACB). Because of the high rates of co-occurring medical and psychiatric conditions, autistic adults may have high AC exposure and, thus, may experience elevated ACB. However, no research has characterized AC exposure or examined its associations with cognitive outcomes in autistic adults. Autistic adults (40-83?years) recruited via Simons Powering Autism Research's (SPARK) Research Match service self-reported their medication use (N = 415) and memory complaints (N = 382) at Time (T)1. At T2, 2?years later, a subset of T1 participants (N = 197) self-reported on decline in cognition. Medications were coded using two scales of AC potency. A high proportion (48.2%-62.9%, depending upon the AC potency scale) of autistic adults reported taking at least one medication with AC effects, and 20.5% to 26.5% of autistic adults reported clinically-relevant levels of AC medication (potency ?3). After controlling for birth-sex, and age, hierarchical linear regression models showed total ACB scores and AC potency values of ?3 predicted greater memory complaints. Logistic regression models showed that AC medicines at T1 were associated with self-reported cognitive decline at follow-up 2?years later. Understanding AC medications-including potentially earlier AC polypharmacy-and their impacts on cognition (e.g., dementia risk) in autistic adults is warranted. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.3076 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=526 [article] Increased anticholinergic medication use in middle-aged and older autistic adults and its associations with self-reported memory difficulties and cognitive decline [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Goldie A. MCQUAID, Auteur ; Sean C. DUANE, Auteur ; Neha AHMED, Auteur ; Nancy Raitano LEE, Auteur ; Rebecca CHARLTON, Auteur ; Gregory L. WALLACE, Auteur . - p.852-867. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism Research > 17-4 (April 2024) . - p.852-867 Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Abstract Many commonly used prescription and over-the-counter medicines have potent anticholinergic (AC) effects. Among older adults, AC medications are associated with cognitive impairment and risk for cognitive disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. Collectively, the impact of AC medications is known as anticholinergic cognitive burden (ACB). Because of the high rates of co-occurring medical and psychiatric conditions, autistic adults may have high AC exposure and, thus, may experience elevated ACB. However, no research has characterized AC exposure or examined its associations with cognitive outcomes in autistic adults. Autistic adults (40-83?years) recruited via Simons Powering Autism Research's (SPARK) Research Match service self-reported their medication use (N = 415) and memory complaints (N = 382) at Time (T)1. At T2, 2?years later, a subset of T1 participants (N = 197) self-reported on decline in cognition. Medications were coded using two scales of AC potency. A high proportion (48.2%-62.9%, depending upon the AC potency scale) of autistic adults reported taking at least one medication with AC effects, and 20.5% to 26.5% of autistic adults reported clinically-relevant levels of AC medication (potency ?3). After controlling for birth-sex, and age, hierarchical linear regression models showed total ACB scores and AC potency values of ?3 predicted greater memory complaints. Logistic regression models showed that AC medicines at T1 were associated with self-reported cognitive decline at follow-up 2?years later. Understanding AC medications-including potentially earlier AC polypharmacy-and their impacts on cognition (e.g., dementia risk) in autistic adults is warranted. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.3076 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=526

Increased perceived stress is negatively associated with activities of daily living and subjective quality of life in younger, middle, and older autistic adults / Goldie A. MCQUAID in Autism Research, 15-8 (August 2022)  

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Predictors of sleep quality for autistic people across adulthood / Rebecca A. CHARLTON in Autism Research, 16-4 (April 2023)  

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Self-reported memory of autistic young adults and associated real-world outcomes / Goldie A. MCQUAID ; Gregory L. WALLACE ; Nancy Raitano LEE in Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 109 (November 2023)  

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