The evolution of adults with autism and intellectual disability : a retrospective study
So far few studies have focused on the evolution of adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder associated with Intellectual Disability. In existing literature the available data show that the persons with the severest intellectual disabilities present the least significant changes. The present study - both exploratory and retrospective - deals with 7 patients with autism associated with a severe intellectual disability. Over a 30-year period - after the age of 20 - their life course, their clinical evolutions, their adaptive daily skills were described. The data collection was based on the study of their medical and educational records as well as on semidirective interviews with the staff. Although no significant change concerning their clinical, behavioural and adaptive profile could be pointed out, some patients presented qualitative evolutions such as a decrease in the intensity of their symptomatology or in the importance of their behavioral disorders. The results were discussed taking into account recent studies; they were criticized considering the methodological limits of our study. Suggestions for future research are: the follow-up of the patients of our study; the setting up of a prospective longitudinal study concerning a representative cohort of adults with autism with intellectual disability over a long period of time; suggestions of specific learning protocols together with assessments of that type of interventions.