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Autism
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Objective and subjective quality of life in adults with autism spectrum disorders in southern Spain

David Saldaña

University of Seville, Spain, dsaldana{at}us.es

Rosa M. Álvarez

Autismo Andalucía and University of Seville, Spain

Silvia Lobatón

Autismo Andalucía, Spain

Ana M. Lopez

University of Seville, Spain

Macarena Moreno

Autismo Andalucía, Spain

Miguel Rojano

Autismo Andalucía, Spain

Subjective and objective measures of quality of life (QoL) were obtained for adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) living in Andalusia (Spain). Seventy-four families responded to questionnaires about objective QoL indicators such as employment, health, adaptive behaviour and social network, and were asked to act as proxies for subjective QoL measures. Outcome on objective QoL was extremely poor. Social networks were most frequently composed of family members. Community-oriented resources were absent in most cases. For two-thirds of the families, the ability to act as proxies for subjective QoL was seriously limited by the participants' poor social and communicative abilities. The results are indicative of the need for additional support to families of adults with ASD and increased community-based resources. Further conceptualization of indicators and measurement of subjective QoL in individuals with severe disabilities and ASD is also needed in order to include their own perspective in the evaluation of service provision.

Key Words: adults • ASD • quality of life • Spain

Autism, Vol. 13, No. 3, 303-316 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/1362361309103792
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