Ageing and heterogeneity regarding autism spectrum conditions: a protocol paper of an accelerated longitudinal study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Autism spectrum conditions (ASC) develop early in life and are thought to last a lifetime. However, ASC research has two major knowledge gaps that hinder progression in understanding the concept of ASC and in providing proper support for autistic adults: (1) the majority of knowledge about ASC mainly stems from childhood studies so little is known about older autistic adults and (2) while it is broadly recognised that ASC is a heterogeneous condition, we do not yet understand the differences in trajectories leading to their future outcome. We aim to fill both knowledge gaps.

Methods and analysis

A multistage overlapping cohort design assessing (cognitive) ageing in ASC is designed to obtain an accelerated longitudinal data set. Data, including a multitude of que

SUBMITTER: Geurts HM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8016100 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature