Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Bury, Simon M.
• Hedley, Darren
• Uljarević, Mirko
• Stokes, Mark A.
• Begeer, Sander

Titel

A repeated cross‐sectional study of daily activities of autistic adults

Ist Teil von

• Autism research, 2024-05, Vol.17 (5), p.947-954

Ort / Verlag

Hoboken, USA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc

Erscheinungsjahr

2024

Link zum Volltext

Quelle

MEDLINE

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• It is crucial to arrive at a comprehensive understanding of the types of daily activities autistic adults typically engage in. However, previous research has almost exclusively focused on vocational or education activities. Further, it remains unclear how and whether specific daily activities participation rates change proportionally over time, vary by gender, or compare to nationally representative data. Utilizing eight annual data waves from the Netherlands Autism Register (NAR) this study aims to bridge this gap. Participants were 2449 autistic adults who indicated their participation in 18 daily activities. Results suggest that autistic adults engaged most frequently in vocational activities (e.g., paid employment, study) and participation rates were stable over time. Participation rates in non‐vocational activities (e.g., hobbies, homemaking) fluctuated proportionally over time, with reports of no structured daytime activities reducing over time. Labor force participation amongst NAR participants was significantly lower than Dutch population data for the same time periods. Unemployment rates fluctuated, and were significantly higher than population data, but not for all time points. Females compared to males were overrepresented in unpaid daily activities (e.g., study, volunteer, housemaker) and work incapacitation, and underrepresented in paid employment. Employment differences in gender corresponded to national data. These findings characterize more clearly the daily activities of autistic adults, and highlights areas where support may have greater impact (e.g., females in employment). Lay Summary Research shows that autistic people have challenges in participating in fundamental life activities, such as finding a job or study. However, less is known about what activities autistic adults actually do with their life, and whether participation rates change over time or by gender. Participants in the study were 2449 autistic adults who were recruited from the Netherlands Autism Register (NAR). Participants indicated at eight annual time points what daily activities they were participating in from a list of 18 different activities. Results suggest that autistic adults participated most in vocational activities, like paid employment, and that the proportion of people taking part in these activities did not change over time. In contrast, non‐vocational activities such as hobbies or homemaking did change over time. Participation in the labor force was significantly lower than the general population at each time point. However, unemployment was higher, but not for each time point. Female participants were more likely to be overrepresented in unpaid daily activities like volunteer work and were underrepresented in employment. This study gives a better idea about the activities autistic adults are engaged with, which may help better understand where support may be best placed. For example, support autistic women in accessing the labor force.