St. Louis, MO – A new study has found that adults on the autism spectrum have less friends, are invited out less, with some completely isolated. The study used information from the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2 that examined rates of social interaction among adults with autism, and compared them to socialization rates of other adults with intellectual, emotional, and learning differences.
According to the study’s findings almost 40% with autism never saw friends or were invited out to activities while 28% were completely isolated with no contact at all. For adults with other intellectual differences less then 10% were isolated. For people with emotional and learning differences, only 2-3% were isolated.
Coauthor Paul Shattuck of Washington University told news outlet examiner.com that:
“Difficulty navigating the terrain of friendships and social interaction is a hallmark feature of autism. Nonetheless, many people with autism do indeed have a social appetite. They yearn for connection with others. We need better ways of supporting positive social connection and of preventing social isolation.”
The study noted what has been known for years: young adults on the spectrum are in need of support and services to teach them the socialization tools needed to successfully transition into adulthood.
Contributed by Audrey L. Hollingshead.
Source: Lee Wilkinson on Examiner.com: Study Finds Many Young Adults with Autism Struggle with Social Isolation