BackgroundAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder. Although it is a lifelong condition, treatments and services can improve a person’s symptoms and ability to function. Research on the outcomes in adolescence and adult life and on the associated factors is limited. The objective of the present study is to examine the outcomes as well as the contributing factors in adolescents and adults diagnosed with ASD in Greece.MethodParticipants included 69 parents of individuals diagnosed with ASD in their childhood. Interviews were conducted with the parents, and archived medical and psychological records were collected. Participants had been diagnosed in the Child and Adolescent Unit of the 3d Psychiatric Clinic of the AHEPA Hospital in Thessaloniki, Greece between 1990 and 2007.ResultsThe overall outcome was poor in most of cases (22.6% “very poor” and 24.5% “poor”); however, a substantial number had “good” (18.9%) or “very good” (22.6%) outcomes. Severity of initial diagnosis (χ2 = 65.956, DF = 8, p < 0.001), presence of comorbid disorders in childhood (χ2 = 14,085, DF = 4, p < 0.007), current comorbidity (χ2 = 15.834, DF = 4, p = 0.003), and certain developmental milestones [early acquisition of language skills (χ2 = 16.991, DF = 8, p = 0.030)] were positively correlated with adult outcomes.ConclusionsOverall outcomes in the Greek sample were consistent with international studies. It seems that important contributing factors are comorbidity and especially overall lower cognitive function (intellectual disability), but further research is needed as well as enhanced adult-oriented research and intervention programs.

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Le travail analytique avec un enfant autiste confronte aux phénomènes insistants de répétition, lesquels constituent un défi à la créativité thérapeutique. Cet article examine les conditions favorisant l’émergence de moments de mutation et d’insight, en respectant les rythmes de l’enfant et de sa famille. Il montre également comment le traitement d’un enfant autiste amène à réfléchir sur l’exigence de conflictualité énonciative de la parole interprétative, et comment la mise à l’écart de l’affect peut paradoxalement constituer une condition nécessaire à l’identification au patient. Il souligne enfin combien l’émergence d’un mouvement authentiquement symbolique peut dépendre d’éléments du setting que l’on aurait autrement jugé anodins, aussi bien que de contre-agirs mineurs de l’analyste.