A joint research team of Shinshu University School of Medicine and Yokohama Rehabilitation Center (YRC) has conducted a long-term adult follow-up of people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) who were identified by the age of 7 in an epidemiological survey in Yokohama. Conducted the survey "Y-LABiC Study".Reliable results were obtained.
There are many unclear points about the long-term course of people with ASD from childhood to adulthood.This time, 1988 people born in Kohoku Ward, Yokohama City, who were born between 1996 and 7 and were identified as ASD by the age of 278, were surveyed.After all were over 20 years old, a follow-up survey (170-61.2) was conducted with the consent of 2017 people (2020%).Interviews with individuals and their families were conducted on the overall social functions of adulthood (evaluated based on the degree of independence such as work and housing, friendships, etc.), social participation, and the actual conditions of daily life.
As a result, the psychosocial outcomes (current status) of the participants (average 24.6 years old) were "very good" (13.7%), "good" (25.0%), "fairly good" (31.0%), and "poor". 25.6% and 4.8% answered "very bad", and the percentage of people with better outcomes was higher than in previous studies abroad.
In addition, the majority participate in work and education (96.4% of the total), sports (82.1%), leisure activities and hobbies (98.8%), and the percentage of people who do housework and self-care in their daily lives is general. It was about the same as the population. There was no difference in IQ outcomes for IQs of 5 and above at age 50.Although it is difficult to be completely independent in terms of securing housing and employment, many participated in many activities outside the home and engaged in housework and self-care.
In this survey, we focused on social participation and the state of daily life in addition to the degree of independence. It has shown the possibility that the psychosocial outcomes of people with ASD in adulthood can be compared between the general population and different cultures.
