In particular , there is little evidence that the identified tools would be good at detecting change in intervention studies .
The obvious gaps in available outcome measurement include well-being and participation outcomes for children , and family quality -of-life outcomes , domains particularly valued by our informants ( young people with ASD and parents ) .
This is the first systematic review of the quality and appropriateness of tools design ed to monitor progress and outcomes of young children with ASD .
BACKGROUND The needs of children with autism spectrum disorder ( ASD ) are complex and this is reflected in the number and diversity of outcomes assessed and measurement tools used to collect evidence about children 's progress .
Relevant outcomes include improvement in core ASD impairments , such as communication , social awareness , sensory sensitivities and repetitiveness ; skills such as social functioning and play ; participation outcomes such as social inclusion ; and parent and family impact .
OBJECTIVES To examine the measurement properties of tools used to measure progress and outcomes in children with ASD up to the age of 6 years .
To identify outcome areas regarded as important by people with ASD and parents .
Epidemiology of autism spectrum disorders in adults in the community in England.
CONTEXT To our knowledge , there is no published information on the epidemiology of autism spectrum disorders ( ASDs ) in adults . If the prevalence of autism is increasing , rates in older adults would be expected to be lower than rates among younger adults . OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence and characteristics of adults with ASD living in the community in Engl and . DESIGN A stratified , multiphase r and om sample was used in the third national survey of psychiatric morbidity in adults in Engl and in 2007 . Survey data were weighted to take account of study design and nonresponse so that the results were representative of the household population . SETTING General community ( ie , private households ) in Engl and . PARTICIPANTS Adults ( people 16 years or older ) . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule , Module 4 in phase 2 vali date d against the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised and Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders in phase 3 . A 20-item subset of the Autism-Spectrum Quotient self-completion question naire was used in phase 1 to select respondents for phase 2 . Respondents also provided information on sociodemographics and their use of mental health services . RESULTS Of 7461 adult participants who provided a complete phase 1 interview , 618 completed phase 2 diagnostic assessment s. The weighted prevalence of ASD in adults was estimated to be 9.8 per 1000 ( 95 % confidence interval , 3.0 - 16.5 ) . Prevalence was not related to the respondent 's age . Rates were higher in men , those without educational qualifications , and those living in rented social ( government-financed ) housing . There was no evidence of increased use of services for mental health problems . CONCLUSIONS Conducting epidemiologic research on ASD in adults is feasible . The prevalence of ASD in this population is similar to that found in children . The lack of an association with age is consistent with there having been no increase in prevalence and with its causes being temporally constant . Adults with ASD living in the community are socially disadvantaged and tend to be unrecognized
In particular , there is little evidence that the identified tools would be good at detecting change in intervention studies .
The obvious gaps in available outcome measurement include well-being and participation outcomes for children , and family quality -of-life outcomes , domains particularly valued by our informants ( young people with ASD and parents ) .
This is the first systematic review of the quality and appropriateness of tools design ed to monitor progress and outcomes of young children with ASD .
BACKGROUND The needs of children with autism spectrum disorder ( ASD ) are complex and this is reflected in the number and diversity of outcomes assessed and measurement tools used to collect evidence about children 's progress .
Relevant outcomes include improvement in core ASD impairments , such as communication , social awareness , sensory sensitivities and repetitiveness ; skills such as social functioning and play ; participation outcomes such as social inclusion ; and parent and family impact .
OBJECTIVES To examine the measurement properties of tools used to measure progress and outcomes in children with ASD up to the age of 6 years .
To identify outcome areas regarded as important by people with ASD and parents .