Autism significantly impacts how individuals interact, communicate and perceive the world. Gastrointestinal disturbances, particularly constipation, are prevalent among autistic people, affecting their overall well-being. However, to the best of our knowledge, no specific guidelines are currently available regarding the diagnosis of constipation…

Adults are increasingly self-identifying as autistic, and reporting problems being referred for an autism diagnostic assessment. This scoping review aims to ascertain: (1) what research has been conducted on the self-identification process of autism in adults, who do and do not have a formal diagnosis of autism, and (2) which aspects of the…

A broadening of diagnostic criteria and increased awareness of autism has led to a large number of individuals whose difficulties remained undetected until adulthood. This systematic review aimed to synthesise empirical evidence of the experience of individuals who received their diagnosis of autism in adulthood. Eight studies met the inclusion…

Background: Previous research indicated a high prevalence of disordered sleep among adults with learning disabilities, however issues with design impacted findings. The current systematic review aims to: (1) present how disordered sleep and sleep disorders amongst adults with learning disabilities are described in the literature, and (2) report on…

There is a dearth of research into the experience of adult diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, and targeted research is needed to understand the needs of these adults. The aim of this coproduced review was to assess existing qualitative data on the lived experience of receiving an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, identify recurring themes,…

This article summarizes research focusing on communication skills of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who communicate primarily without speech, sign language, or augmentative communication. Importantly, developmental theories were emphasized as useful for interpreting communication in children and adults. These studies…

Autism diagnoses in adulthood have risen substantially over recent years. While providing potential benefits, many autistic adults struggle to navigate their new diagnosis. Our review aimed to synthesise the evidence for post-diagnostic support for autistic adults without intellectual disability diagnosed in adulthood in the UK: investigating…

This study evaluated the comorbidity rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with functional neurological disorders (FNDs). A systematic review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A subset of data was suitable for meta-analysis of proportions. Studies which assessed either…

Autism spectrum disorder has often been assumed to be a protective factor against substance use, yet the extent of substance use in this population has been difficult to determine as limited research has been done on these interacting variables. This systematic literature review examined 26 studies published between 2009 and 2019 to uncover the…

Purpose: Despite having distinct etiologies, acquired apraxia of speech (AOS) and childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) share the same central diagnostic challenge (i.e., isolating markers specific to an impairment in speech motor planning/programming). The purpose of this review was to evaluate and compare the state of the evidence on approaches to…

More adults are undergoing autism assessment due to recent changes in awareness, diagnostic criteria and professional practices. This scoping review aimed to summarise research on autism diagnosis in adulthood and identify any gaps for future study. The authors searched for studies involving first-time assessment and diagnosis of autism in adults,…

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with autism spectrum disorder, used interchangeably with the term autism, are among the most marginalised people in Australian society. This review maps out existing and emerging themes in the research involving Indigenous Australians with autism based on a search of the peer-reviewed and grey…

The aim of this study is to examine the effect size of depression in a Turkish sample with respect to gender and developmental periods. The studies of dissertation and articles completed during the period of 2004-2018 and covering Turkish sample have been examined through the method of Meta Analysis. The studies carried out, with the help of the…

Since their separation as independent diagnostics, autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) have been conceptualized as mutually exclusive disorders. Similarities between both disorders can lead to misdiagnosis, especially when it comes to average-IQ adults who were not identified during childhood. The aim of this…

Functional living skills are skills needed for being an independent individual in society. As individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) get older, the discrepancy between functional living skills of themselves and their peers increases. However, it is not known which type of intervention is more or less effective specifically for adolescent-…