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Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders pp 211–238Cite as

Range of Outcomes and Challenges in Middle and Later Life

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Abstract

As will already be clear at this point in this volume, the focus in research and treatment of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) since its first description in 1943 has been on children. While some attention was given to the adult outcomes of people with ASD as early as the 1960s (British Journal of Psychiatry 113:1183–1199, 1967; Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia 1:119–145, 1971; Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia 4:11–32, 1974), the proportion of resources and research focused on adults with ASD has historically been minute compared to that given to children. Large-scale efforts are now underway by community support groups, provider groups, governments, and research organizations to understand the natural progression of ASD across the lifespan and to support adults with autism and their families to achieve the best possible outcomes.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Madison, WI, USA

    Megan Farley

  2. University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    Bill McMahon

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  1. Megan Farley
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  2. Bill McMahon
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Correspondence to Megan Farley .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Child Study Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

    Fred R. Volkmar

  2. AJ Pappanikou Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, USA

    Brian Reichow

  3. Child Study Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

    James C. McPartland

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Farley, M., McMahon, B. (2014). Range of Outcomes and Challenges in Middle and Later Life. In: Volkmar, F., Reichow, B., McPartland, J. (eds) Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0506-5_11

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