Diagnóstico tardio de autismo e sua relação com a qualidade de vida em adultos

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a variation of typical brain functioning. ASD is part of the neurological development disorders, in which symptoms tend to manifest themselves in the first years of life. These symptoms are mainly deficits in communication, sociability and interaction functions, and the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors, interests and activities. They may be present in greater or lesser intensity. The present work is a cross-sectional and descriptive study, whose objective was to evaluate the quality of life of autistic adults diagnosed late - assessed through the application of the World Health Organization's quality of life assessment instrument, WHOQOL-Bref, as well as establishing the sociodemographic and health characteristics of this population and the diagnoses prior to ASD. The study sample is composed of late published autistic adult individuals with ASD. Data collection was carried out through the analysis of questionnaires administered online, seeking sociodemographic, behavioral, health and quality of life information. Statistical analysis was obtained from absolute and relative distribution of frequencies of independent variables, and was performed in the PSPP statistical program. The sample was made up of 168 people who reported having received a late diagnosis of autism, among these they found that 48.8% of autistic people diagnosed late have a poor quality of life, have higher rates of anxiety, depression and other disorders. Furthermore, they have significant difficulties in social insertion and interaction.