Brief report: Social relationships among autistic young adults with varying cognitive abilities / Dena GOHARI in Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 119 (January 2025)  

Public ISBD [article]  inResearch in Autism Spectrum Disorders > 119 (January 2025) . - p.102524 Titre : Brief report: Social relationships among autistic young adults with varying cognitive abilities Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Dena GOHARI, Auteur ; Jamie PARK, Auteur ; Hillary SCHILTZ, Auteur ; Catherine LORD, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.102524 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : Social relationships  Young adulthood  Autism  Cognitive ability  Informant report Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Background Autism is characterized by social difficulties, yet many autistic people value and desire social relationships. Given the limited research on autism in adulthood, particularly among those with lower cognitive ability, this study aimed 1) to compare self- vs informant-report of social relationships (acquaintances, friendships, and interpersonal difficulties) and 2) to compare social relationships, between more cognitively able (MCA) and less cognitively able (LCA) autistic young adults. Method Participants included 101 autistic young adults (Mage=25.90; SD=1.41; 82.0?% male; 79.8?% White) and their informants. Participants were interviewed, and the Interpersonal Difficulties and Social Relationships sections of the Social and Emotional Functioning Interview (SEF) were analyzed. Participants were classified as MCA (IQ?70) or LCA (IQ<70). Results For the MCA sample, informant and self-report SEF scores were all positively correlated and did not have significantly different median values. Weaker and non-significant associations emerged for social contexts outside of the home (e.g., at work) and more abstract concepts (e.g., quality of relationships). Although cognitive ability impacted the extreme SEF scores (e.g., having self-initiated reciprocal friendships), many social difficulties were shared by LCA and MCA young adults, according to informant reports. Conclusions This study is one of few on social relationships and autism to focus on adulthood and include LCA young adults. Results indicate that informant-report provides useful information on more concrete aspects of social relationships in this population. Many autistic young adults, and LCA young adults in particular, may benefit from additional social supports, yet it is also essential to collaboratively consider what types of social experiences and relationships are desired and feasible for each person. More research and intervention tailored to LCA autistic young adults are needed. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2024.102524 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=545 [article] Brief report: Social relationships among autistic young adults with varying cognitive abilities [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Dena GOHARI, Auteur ; Jamie PARK, Auteur ; Hillary SCHILTZ, Auteur ; Catherine LORD, Auteur . - p.102524. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders > 119 (January 2025) . - p.102524 Mots-clés : Social relationships  Young adulthood  Autism  Cognitive ability  Informant report Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Background Autism is characterized by social difficulties, yet many autistic people value and desire social relationships. Given the limited research on autism in adulthood, particularly among those with lower cognitive ability, this study aimed 1) to compare self- vs informant-report of social relationships (acquaintances, friendships, and interpersonal difficulties) and 2) to compare social relationships, between more cognitively able (MCA) and less cognitively able (LCA) autistic young adults. Method Participants included 101 autistic young adults (Mage=25.90; SD=1.41; 82.0?% male; 79.8?% White) and their informants. Participants were interviewed, and the Interpersonal Difficulties and Social Relationships sections of the Social and Emotional Functioning Interview (SEF) were analyzed. Participants were classified as MCA (IQ?70) or LCA (IQ<70). Results For the MCA sample, informant and self-report SEF scores were all positively correlated and did not have significantly different median values. Weaker and non-significant associations emerged for social contexts outside of the home (e.g., at work) and more abstract concepts (e.g., quality of relationships). Although cognitive ability impacted the extreme SEF scores (e.g., having self-initiated reciprocal friendships), many social difficulties were shared by LCA and MCA young adults, according to informant reports. Conclusions This study is one of few on social relationships and autism to focus on adulthood and include LCA young adults. Results indicate that informant-report provides useful information on more concrete aspects of social relationships in this population. Many autistic young adults, and LCA young adults in particular, may benefit from additional social supports, yet it is also essential to collaboratively consider what types of social experiences and relationships are desired and feasible for each person. More research and intervention tailored to LCA autistic young adults are needed. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2024.102524 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=545

A longitudinal study of loneliness in autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities: Coping with loneliness from childhood through adulthood / Hillary SCHILTZ in Autism, 28-6 (June 2024)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism > 28-6 (June 2024) . - p.1471-1486 Titre : A longitudinal study of loneliness in autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities: Coping with loneliness from childhood through adulthood Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Hillary SCHILTZ, Auteur ; Dena GOHARI, Auteur ; Jamie PARK, Auteur ; Catherine LORD, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.1471-1486 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : autism  coping  lifespan  loneliness Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Many autistic people and people with non-spectrum neurodevelopmental disabilities (e.g. intellectual disability) report feeling lonely, which can negatively impact their well-being. There is little longitudinal research, however, tracking changes in how autistic people experience, conceptualize, and cope with loneliness throughout their lives. A longitudinal sample of 114 people, which included autistic participants and participants with neurodevelopmental disabilities, characterized experiences of loneliness, perceptions of other people?s loneliness, and strategies used to cope with loneliness from childhood to adulthood. Level of loneliness and coping strategies were coded from Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule Modules 3 and 4 protocol forms. Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule Loneliness Ratings were correlated across time and increased from adolescence to young adulthood. The most common loneliness coping strategies were Behavioral Distraction (e.g. watching TV) and Instrumental Action (e.g. seeking social contact), which were both used by more people in adulthood than childhood. Those who used Behavioral Distraction and a greater number of coping strategies had higher Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule Loneliness-Self Ratings (i.e. were lonelier) during adolescence and adulthood. Findings highlight adulthood as a particularly vulnerable time for loneliness and indicate a need for more support and social opportunities for autistic adults and adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities who wish to make more social connections. Lay abstract We know that many autistic people feel lonely, but we don?t know whether their loneliness changes over time. Our research study followed autistic people and people with other non-spectrum neurodevelopmental disabilities from childhood through young adulthood and asked them about their loneliness. While many people told us they felt lonely or very lonely, a sizable group also told us that they do not feel lonely. We found that people who reported feeling lonely earlier in life were likely to also report feeling lonely later in life. Overall, autistic people and people with other neurodevelopmental disabilities in our study became lonelier from adolescence to adulthood. People described multiple ways they cope with feeling lonely, such as distracting themselves or reaching out to connect with another person. People who used distraction tended to be lonelier than those who did not. Our findings tell us that there is a need for greater support of social connections for many autistic people as they become adults. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613231217337 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=529 [article] A longitudinal study of loneliness in autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities: Coping with loneliness from childhood through adulthood [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Hillary SCHILTZ, Auteur ; Dena GOHARI, Auteur ; Jamie PARK, Auteur ; Catherine LORD, Auteur . - p.1471-1486. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism > 28-6 (June 2024) . - p.1471-1486 Mots-clés : autism  coping  lifespan  loneliness Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Many autistic people and people with non-spectrum neurodevelopmental disabilities (e.g. intellectual disability) report feeling lonely, which can negatively impact their well-being. There is little longitudinal research, however, tracking changes in how autistic people experience, conceptualize, and cope with loneliness throughout their lives. A longitudinal sample of 114 people, which included autistic participants and participants with neurodevelopmental disabilities, characterized experiences of loneliness, perceptions of other people?s loneliness, and strategies used to cope with loneliness from childhood to adulthood. Level of loneliness and coping strategies were coded from Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule Modules 3 and 4 protocol forms. Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule Loneliness Ratings were correlated across time and increased from adolescence to young adulthood. The most common loneliness coping strategies were Behavioral Distraction (e.g. watching TV) and Instrumental Action (e.g. seeking social contact), which were both used by more people in adulthood than childhood. Those who used Behavioral Distraction and a greater number of coping strategies had higher Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule Loneliness-Self Ratings (i.e. were lonelier) during adolescence and adulthood. Findings highlight adulthood as a particularly vulnerable time for loneliness and indicate a need for more support and social opportunities for autistic adults and adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities who wish to make more social connections. Lay abstract We know that many autistic people feel lonely, but we don?t know whether their loneliness changes over time. Our research study followed autistic people and people with other non-spectrum neurodevelopmental disabilities from childhood through young adulthood and asked them about their loneliness. While many people told us they felt lonely or very lonely, a sizable group also told us that they do not feel lonely. We found that people who reported feeling lonely earlier in life were likely to also report feeling lonely later in life. Overall, autistic people and people with other neurodevelopmental disabilities in our study became lonelier from adolescence to adulthood. People described multiple ways they cope with feeling lonely, such as distracting themselves or reaching out to connect with another person. People who used distraction tended to be lonelier than those who did not. Our findings tell us that there is a need for greater support of social connections for many autistic people as they become adults. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613231217337 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=529

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