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Cited by 632Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchFamily and Disability Support ResearchChild Nutrition and Feeding Issues

Cognitive, language, social and behavioural outcomes in adults with autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review of longitudinal follow-up studies in adulthood

Magiati, Iliana, Tay, Xiang Wei, Howlin, Patricia·2014·Clinical Psychology Review
DOI 10.1016/j.cpr.2013.11.002
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Abstract

Background Although increasing numbers of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are now entering adolescence and adulthood, there is limited research on outcomes post childhood. A systematic review of the existing literature was conducted.Method PsycINFO, PubMed, MedLine and CINAHL were systematically searched using keywords related to ASD and adolescent and adult outcomes. Studies of individuals diagnosed with ASD in childhood and followed up into adulthood were identified and reviewed. Only studies with samples sizes >10, mean age at outcome >16 years and at least one previous assessment in childhood (<16 years) were included.Results Twenty-five studies meeting criteria were identified. Reported outcomes in adulthood were highly variable across studies. Although social functioning, cognitive ability and language skills remained relatively stable in some studies, others reported deterioration over time. Adaptive functioning tended to improve in most studies. Diagnosis of autism or ASD was generally stable, although severity of autism-related behavioural symptoms was often reported to improve. Childhood IQ and early language ability appeared to be the strongest predictors of later outcome, but few studies examined other early variables associated with adult functioning.Discussion Implications of the findings are discussed in relation to methodological challenges in longitudinal outcome research and future research directions.

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  • Language ability and cognitive function vary widely in ASD and predict later outcome.

    “Language abilities and cognitive function, two domains strongly affecting adaptive behavior (2,3) and predicting later outcome (4), also have a broad range in ASD.”

    From Genetics and genomics of autism spectrum disorder: embracing complexity (2015) · cites this paper as [4]

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Authors
Magiati, I., Tay, X. W., & Howlin, P.
Affiliations
  • National University of Singapore (SG)
  • The University of Sydney (AU)
Corresponding author
Magiati, Iliana
ORCID
Venue
Clinical Psychology Review
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2014-02
Volume
34
Issue
1
Pages
73-86
ISSN
0272-7358 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.cpr.2013.11.002
OpenAlex
W2089468865
Cited by
632
References
9
Citations by year
2026: 33 · 2025: 49 · 2024: 52 · 2023: 60 · 2022: 54 · 2021: 73 · 2020: 58 · 2019: 61 · 2018: 61 · 2017: 47 · 2016: 36 · 2015: 35 · 2014: 13
FWCI
2.40
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Clinical Psychology Review (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • National University of Singapore (submittedVersion)
  • Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Family and Disability Support Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, adult outcomes, longitudinal follow-up, cognitive ability, language skills, social functioning, adaptive behavior, behavioural symptoms, IQ
MeSH terms
Adult, Child Development Disorders, Pervasive, Cognition, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Language, Social Adjustment

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