ERIC Number: EJ1257585
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Jul
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0162-3257
EISSN: N/A
Aging Well on the Autism Spectrum: An Examination of the Dominant Model of Successful Aging
Hwang, Ye In; Foley, Kitty-Rose; Trollor, Julian N.
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, v50 n7 p2326-2335 Jul 2020
There is a gap in our knowledge of aging with autism. The present study examined the applicability of the popular gerontology concept of "aging well" to autistic adults. Using survey data, a model of "aging well" was operationalised and applied to 92 autistic adults and 60 controls. A very small proportion (3.3%) of autistic adults were found to be aging well. Significantly less autistic adults were "maintaining physical and cognitive functioning" and "actively engaging with life" in comparison to controls. Whilst important differences in health and functioning status were found, the current dominant model of "aging well" is limited for examining autistic individuals. Suggested adjustments include development of a broader, more flexible and strengths -based model.
Descriptors: Aging (Individuals), Autism, Gerontology, Adults, Quality of Life, Physical Health, Cognitive Ability
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A