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Social adjustment and placement of autistic children in Middlesex: A follow-up study

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Abstract

A follow-up study of 32 autistic children identified in an epidemiological survey when they were 8 to 10 years of age and investigated 8 years later at 16 to 18 years of age is presented and discussed. Outcome is described in terms of general social adjustment, employment, and placement history. Results are contrasted with those for a comparison group identified in the original survey and those reported for comparably defined children in other studies. Only one autistic child was employed, and outcome was in general worse for the autistic group in which 62% required extensive care and supervision. There does not seem to be a direct relationship between employability and amount of schooling. Expectations with respect to outcome can be indicated with some confidence for comparable groups.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, N1G 2W1, Guelph, Ontario, Canada

    Victor Lotter

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  1. Victor Lotter
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Additional information

This paper is based on research supported by a grant MH20537 awarded by the National Institute of Mental Health.

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Lotter, V. Social adjustment and placement of autistic children in Middlesex: A follow-up study. J Autism Dev Disord 4, 11–32 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02104997

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