Autism-Related Challenges Persist Well Into Adulthood, Study

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As adults with autism mature and move into middle age, they are finding it difficult to live independently, hold down jobs and sustain relationships, researchers say.

A new study is providing a glimpse into the daily lives of adults with autism as they hit their 30s and 40s, a time period that’s traditionally received little attention from researchers looking at the developmental disorder

Farley’s research looked at a group of 169 adults ages 22 to 51 with autism, who had participated in a study in the 1980s of Utah children with autism. Either they or their parents or caregivers provided the information. More than 75 percent of study participants had intellectual disability in addition to autism.

When it came to employment, 12 percent of those in the study had full-time jobs without support. A similar number had part-time jobs without special supports. Jobs held by participants ranged from janitorial work to restaurant service to trucking. However, 33 percent of those in the study attended day programs and 20 percent were unemployed.

Farley said it was noteworthy that some of those in the study who did not have intellectual disability had difficulty holding down jobs, but others with both diagnoses “were gainfully employed on the open marketplace at a full-time level,” she said. “This was surprising and exciting.”

Most of the study participants — 47 percent — lived at home with their families, while 39 percent lived in group homes. Only 9 percent lived independently in their own home or apartment. In addition, 44 percent had a legal guardian, nearly all of whom were their parents.

Socially, participants had little experience with dating and relationships. Only 5 percent had experienced marriage and 75 percent had never dated. However, when parents were asked whether their adult children wanted a romantic partner, 67 percent said they believed their child was not seeking such a relationship.

While the study found that more than 60 percent of participants were involved in at least one club or organization with regular group meetings, nearly half reported spending little or no time with peers.