Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Autistic Adults: a Scoping Review

Scheeren, Anke M.; Crane, Laura; Heyworth, Melanie; Pellicano, Elizabeth

doi:10.1007/s40474-023-00268-6

Cited by 11 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…According to a recent review by Scheeren, Crane, Heyworth, and Pellicano (2023), the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected autistic adults, leading to higher infection and hospitalization rates, heightened the levels of distress and depression and reduced their quality of life (Mutluer, Doenyas, & Aslan Genc, 2020). However, our clinical observations suggest that many autistic patients responded positively to the general reduction in public social activity and the increase in online appointments brought about by COVID-19 restrictions.…”

Section: Covid-19mentioning

confidence: 64%

The effectiveness and safety of dialectical behavior therapy for suicidal ideation and behavior in autistic adults: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial

Huntjens,

van den Bosch,

Sizoo

et al. 2024

Psychol. Med.

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Backgrounds Many autistic people in mental health are suicidal. This study evaluated the effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) v. treatment as usual (TAU) in reducing suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Methods At six Dutch mental health centers, 123 outpatients (18–65 years) with DSM-5 diagnosed autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and suicidal behavior were randomly assigned to the DBT intervention group (n = 63) or TAU control group (n = 60). Assessments were conducted at baseline, post-treatment at 6 months and 12-month follow-up. The primary outcomes were severity of suicidal ideation and frequency of suicide attempts. The severity of depression and social anxiety were secondary outcomes. Results At end-of-treatment, DBT significantly reduced both suicidal ideation (z = −2.24; p = 0.025; b = −4.41; s.e. = 197.0) and suicide attempts (z = −3.15; p = 0.002; IRR = 0.046; s.e. = 0.045) compared to TAU, but lost statistical significance at the 12-month follow-up. Depression severity significantly decreased with DBT (z = −1.99; p = 0.046: b = −2.74; s.e. = 1.37) remaining so at 12 months (z = −2.46; p = 0.014; b = −3.37; s.e. = 1.37). No effects were observed on social anxiety. Severe adverse events included two suicides in the TAU condition. Conclusions DBT is an acceptable, safe, and short-term effective intervention to reduce suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in autistic adults with suicidal behavior.

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Section: Covid-19mentioning

confidence: 64%

The effectiveness and safety of dialectical behavior therapy for suicidal ideation and behavior in autistic adults: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial

Huntjens,

van den Bosch,

Sizoo

et al. 2024

Psychol. Med.

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“…This has affected half of the participants and proxies and might, in turn, have affected the results. Moreover, negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on quality of life have been found in autistic adults (Scheeren et al, 2022(Scheeren et al, , 2023, so also for our participants, this may have affected the outcomes on our assessments, most likely on psychological distress.…”

Section: Methodological Considerations and Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 95%

First things first: An exploration of the effects of psychoeducation for older autistic adults

Lenders,

Ouwens,

Wilting

et al. 2024

Autism

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A psychoeducation program that was originally developed by the Dutch Association for Autism was adjusted for older adults to enhance its feasibility and efficacy in later life. In this study, we explored the effects of this adapted psychoeducation program for older autistic adults in a pre-test–post-test 6-month follow-up design. A total of 61 patients (55–78 years) and 44 proxies (a person close to them) participated in the study; attrition rate was high for the follow-up assessment. As hypothesized, an increase in knowledge and acceptance of the diagnosis was observed, with a strong and positive correlation between patients and proxies for knowledge. Furthermore, ambiguous results were observed on coping with the diagnosis and no positive effects on psychological distress were found. The feedback of participants and proxies about the psychoeducation program was largely positive. Future research with larger group samples and larger time scales is necessary to gain more insight into the effectiveness of the psychoeducation program. It seems worthwhile to further adjust the program to the needs and requirements of older adults, and to help older autistic adults to construct a new narrative of themselves, and the life they have lived, in the light of the recent autism diagnosis. Lay abstract After receiving an autism diagnosis, psychoeducation (i.e. information regarding autism) is a first intervention. We adjusted a psychoeducation program that was originally developed by the Dutch Association for Autism for older adults to enhance its feasibility and efficacy in later life. We expected that participants would report an increase in knowledge and acceptance of the diagnosis and that people close to them would also observe this. Indeed, we found this and participants and those close to them agreed on this. Furthermore, we found some evidence that older autistic adults were better at coping with their autism. We found no positive intervention effects on psychological distress. The feedback of participants and informants about the psychoeducation program was largely positive. In future research, we advise using larger group samples and larger time scales and we also advise to further adjust the program to the needs and requirements of older adults, and to help older autistic adults to construct a new narrative of themselves, and the life they have lived, in the light of the recent autism diagnosis.

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“…Third, it is important to note that the findings of the current study should be interpreted in light of the COVID‐19 pandemic that occurred when the follow‐up data were collected. As shown by a recent review, the pandemic had a significant impact on the lives of autistic adults (Scheeren et al, 2023). While there were large differences between autistic adults in the positive and negative effects of the pandemic, an overall decrease in wellbeing during the pandemic was reported.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The clinical relevance of subgroups of autistic adults: Stability and predictive value

Radhoe,

Agelink van Rentergem,

Torenvliet

et al. 2024

Autism Research

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Autism in adulthood is characterized by heterogeneity, complicating the provision of tailored support. In previous work, we aimed to capture this heterogeneity by determining subgroups of autistic adults that differed in clinical outcomes: cognitive failures, psychological difficulties, and quality of life (QoL). Two subgroups were identified: a “Feelings of Low Grip” subgroup characterized by experiencing a lower sense of mastery and a higher susceptibility to difficulties in daily life, and a “Feelings of High Grip” subgroup characterized by a higher sense of mastery and lower susceptibility to difficulties in daily life. The current pre‐registered study involves a longitudinal extension to determine (a) stability and (b) predictive value of the previously identified two subgroups. Subgroups were identified using community detection based on 14 self‐report measures related to demographic, psychological, and lifestyle characteristics in two samples (aged 31–86 years) that were analyzed separately: Sample 1 (NAutism = 80) measured 5 years after baseline and Sample 2 (NAutism = 241, NComparison = 211) measured 2 years after baseline. The stability over time was assessed based on (a) the number of subgroups, (b) subgroup profiles, and (c) subgroup membership. Predictive validity was assessed for cognitive failures, psychological difficulties, and QoL. Results indicated that autistic and non‐autistic adults formed distinct subgroups. Within both autism samples, the two previously identified autism subgroups were replicated at follow‐up. Subgroup profiles were similar for >50% of the variables at two‐year follow‐up, and 21% at five‐year follow‐up. Moreover, ≥76% remained in the same subgroup at two‐year follow‐up, and ≥ 57% after 5 years. Subgroup membership was predictive of external clinical outcomes up to 5 years. Thus, this study demonstrated the stability and predictive value of the autism subgroups, especially for the two‐year follow‐up. A further focus on their clinical utility might increase the aptness of support, and may provide more insight into the aging process when being autistic.

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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Autistic Adults: a Scoping Review

Cited by 11 publications

References 63 publications

The effectiveness and safety of dialectical behavior therapy for suicidal ideation and behavior in autistic adults: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial

The effectiveness and safety of dialectical behavior therapy for suicidal ideation and behavior in autistic adults: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial

First things first: An exploration of the effects of psychoeducation for older autistic adults

The clinical relevance of subgroups of autistic adults: Stability and predictive value

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