2017 Volume 58 Issue 5 Pages 742-756
Data on the employment status of adults diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) in childhood or adolescence are scarce. Therefore, this study was designed to clarify the employment status of ASD patients receiving continuous psychiatric care into adulthood. Among the patients with ASD who presented at our department for the first time at age 18 or younger, 56 patients (21 men and 35 women) continuing to visit our clinic as adults were selected for this investigation on employment status. The mean age of patients at the time of study was 24.1 years, and the mean duration of follow-up was 9.3 years. Diagnoses according to the DSM-IV-TR were autistic disorder in 8 patients (14.3%), Asperger's disorder in 19 (33.9%), and pervasive development disorder not otherwise specified in 29 (51.8%). Regarding educational background, 39 patients (69.6%) were high school graduates or above. Comorbidities were observed at initial visit in all 56 patients, school non-attendance being the most common disorder (n=48, 85.7%). On the other hand, comorbidities were observed in 32 patients (57.1%) as adults, with social withdrawal being the most common (n=15, 26.8%). As for employment status, 15 patients were employed (26.8%) (three full-time, 5.4%), 17 patients were visiting employment support centers on a regular basis (30.4%), and 24 patients were unemployed (42.9%). There were significantly fewer comorbidities in patients who were employed. The findings demonstrated that few patients with ASD receiving continued psychiatric care as adults had attained regular employment and independent living, despite being high-functioning individuals. The results also suggested the presence of comorbidity as a possible factor influencing long-term outcome for patients with ASD, highlighting the need to provide seamless support to patients with high-functioning ASD requiring continuous psychiatric care past adolescence, on to adulthood.
