Functional Consequences of Autism Spectrum Disorder
In young
children with autism spectrum disorder, lack of social and communication
abilities may hamper learning, especially learning through social interaction
or in settings with peers. In the home, insistence on routines and aversion to
change, as well as sensory sensitivities, may interfere with eating and sleeping
and make routine care (e.g., haircuts, dental work) extremely difficult.
Adaptive skills are typically below measured IQ. Extreme difficulties in
planning, organization, and coping with change negatively impact academic
achievement, even for students with above-average intelligence. During
adulthood, these individuals may have difficulties establishing independence
because of continued rigidity and difficulty with novelty.
Many
individuals with autism spectrum disorder, even without intellectual disability,
have poor adult psychosocial functioning as indexed by measures such as
independent living and gainful employment. Functional consequences in old age
are unknown, but social isolation and communication problems (e.g., reduced
help-seeking) are likely to have consequences for health in older adulthood.
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