Comparative Analysis of Autistic Women Across the Lifespan: Childhood vs. Adulthood Diagnosis / Maire Claire DIEMER in Autism Research, 18-8 (August 2025)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism Research > 18-8 (August 2025) . - p.1651-1663 Titre : Comparative Analysis of Autistic Women Across the Lifespan: Childhood vs. Adulthood Diagnosis Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Maire Claire DIEMER, Auteur ; Rosmary ROS-DEMARIZE, Auteur ; Catherine C. BRADLEY, Auteur ; Stephen KANNE, Auteur ; So Hyun KIM, Auteur ; Julia PARISH-MORRIS, Auteur ; LeeAnne Green SNYDER, Auteur ; Ericka WODKA, Auteur ; Spark CONSORTIUM, Auteur ; Laura A. CARPENTER, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.1651-1663 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : adults  autism  co-occurring conditions  LGBT  lifespan  SPARK  women Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : ABSTRACT This study investigates the experiences of autistic adult women, a group understudied in autism research due to a predominant focus on early identification/intervention, restrictive research participation criteria, and differing rates of diagnosis by sex. This study characterizes a cohort of autistic adult women (n?=?1424) across various dimensions including demographics, relationships, education, employment, income, well-being, and co-occurring psychiatric conditions. It also explores differences among those diagnosed with autism as children versus those diagnosed as adults. The sample was limited to women able to read and provide independent consent to participate. Results indicated that the average age of diagnosis for those diagnosed before age 18 was 9.6?years old, whereas for those diagnosed in adulthood it was 31.8. Over 80% of the sample had completed some college or post-secondary education, with more than a third of those diagnosed as adults having attained a 4-year college degree or higher. More than half were employed, with those diagnosed as adults more likely to be employed full time (31.74%). Additionally, more than half were married or identified a romantic partner. Significant rates of psychiatric comorbidity were reported, with those diagnosed with autism as adults more likely to have co-occurring anxiety (69.87%), depression (61.79%), eating disorders (17.28%), and substance use diagnoses (8.85%) than those diagnosed as children. High rates of suicidal ideation (34%) and self-harm (21%) were endorsed in the full sample. Regression analyses indicated that being diagnosed with autism at a later age was associated with higher internalizing, externalizing, and substance use as well as a lower report of personal strengths, even when accounting for demographic factors. Despite these challenges, our findings highlight that many autistic women have positive outcomes and meet common adult developmental milestones. The authors advocate for the development of more tailored treatment options that address the specific needs of autistic women. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.70073 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=566 [article] Comparative Analysis of Autistic Women Across the Lifespan: Childhood vs. Adulthood Diagnosis [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Maire Claire DIEMER, Auteur ; Rosmary ROS-DEMARIZE, Auteur ; Catherine C. BRADLEY, Auteur ; Stephen KANNE, Auteur ; So Hyun KIM, Auteur ; Julia PARISH-MORRIS, Auteur ; LeeAnne Green SNYDER, Auteur ; Ericka WODKA, Auteur ; Spark CONSORTIUM, Auteur ; Laura A. CARPENTER, Auteur . - p.1651-1663. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism Research > 18-8 (August 2025) . - p.1651-1663 Mots-clés : adults  autism  co-occurring conditions  LGBT  lifespan  SPARK  women Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : ABSTRACT This study investigates the experiences of autistic adult women, a group understudied in autism research due to a predominant focus on early identification/intervention, restrictive research participation criteria, and differing rates of diagnosis by sex. This study characterizes a cohort of autistic adult women (n?=?1424) across various dimensions including demographics, relationships, education, employment, income, well-being, and co-occurring psychiatric conditions. It also explores differences among those diagnosed with autism as children versus those diagnosed as adults. The sample was limited to women able to read and provide independent consent to participate. Results indicated that the average age of diagnosis for those diagnosed before age 18 was 9.6?years old, whereas for those diagnosed in adulthood it was 31.8. Over 80% of the sample had completed some college or post-secondary education, with more than a third of those diagnosed as adults having attained a 4-year college degree or higher. More than half were employed, with those diagnosed as adults more likely to be employed full time (31.74%). Additionally, more than half were married or identified a romantic partner. Significant rates of psychiatric comorbidity were reported, with those diagnosed with autism as adults more likely to have co-occurring anxiety (69.87%), depression (61.79%), eating disorders (17.28%), and substance use diagnoses (8.85%) than those diagnosed as children. High rates of suicidal ideation (34%) and self-harm (21%) were endorsed in the full sample. Regression analyses indicated that being diagnosed with autism at a later age was associated with higher internalizing, externalizing, and substance use as well as a lower report of personal strengths, even when accounting for demographic factors. Despite these challenges, our findings highlight that many autistic women have positive outcomes and meet common adult developmental milestones. The authors advocate for the development of more tailored treatment options that address the specific needs of autistic women. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.70073 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=566

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