Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-q99xh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-01-03T12:10:53.358Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Autistic traits in adults with learning disabilities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

Sabyasachi Bhaumik ,
David Branford ,
Catherine McGrother  and
Catherine Thorp
Sabyasachi Bhaumik*
Affiliation:
Frith Hospital, Leicester
David Branford
Affiliation:
Frith Hospital, Leicester
Catherine McGrother
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Leicester
Catherine Thorp
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Leicester
*
Dr Sabyasachi Bhaumik, Glenfrith Division of Fosse Health Trust, Mansion House, Groby Road, Leicester LE3 9QF
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Background

Although many adults with learning disabilities show features of autistic syndrome, there have been very few population-based studies. We explored the prevalence of autistic traits and their association with maladaptive behaviours in a geographically defined population of adults with learning disabilities.

Method

The carers of 220l adults with learning disabilities were interviewed, and information was sought concerning aspects of their behaviour and ability. Individuals were scored according to the number of core autistic traits displayed. The prevalence of autistic traits was examined in respect of aspects of behaviour and ability.

Results

Autistic traits were common among adults with learning disabilities. Those with a higher number of autistic traits were more likely to be profoundly learning disabled and demonstrate awide range of challenging behaviours.

Conclusions

Many adults with learning disabilities demonstrate autistic traits. The relationship of autistic traits with challenging behaviour has major implications in service planning and delivery.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 170 , Issue 6 , June 1997 , pp. 502 - 506
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Baron-Cohen, S., Leslie, A. M. & Frith, U. (1985) Does the autistic child have a theory of mind? Cognition, 21, 37–46.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Frith, U. & Happe, F. (1994) Language and communication in autistic children. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London - Series B: Biological Sciences, 346, 97–104.Google Scholar
Gillberg, C. (1990) What is autism? International Review of Psychiatry, 2, 61–66.Google Scholar
Gillberg, C. (1995) Clinical Child Neuropsychiatry. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kanner, L. (1943) Autistic disturbances of affective contact. Nervous Child, 2, 217–250.Google Scholar
Maudsley, H. (1867) The Physiology and Pathology of the Mind. London: Macmillan.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Reid, A. H. & Ballinger, B. R. (1995) Behaviour symptoms among severely and profoundly mentally retarded patients. A 16–18 year follow-up study. British Journal of Psychiatry 167, 452–455.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rutter, M., Bartak, L. & Newman, S. (1971) Autism - a central disorder of cognition and language? In Infantile Autism: Concepts, Characteristics and Treatment (ed. M. Rutter), pp. 148–171. London: Churchill Livingstone.Google Scholar
Sparrow, S. S., Balla, D. A. & Cicchetti, V. (1984) Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales: Interview Edition, Survey Form. Minnesota: American Guidance Service Inc.Google Scholar
Wing, L. & Gould, J. (1979) Severe impairment of social interaction and association abnormalities in children: epidemiology and classification. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 9, 11–29.Google Scholar
Wing, L. & Gould, J. (1981) Language, social and cognitive impairments in autism and severe mental retardation. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorder, 11, 31–44.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wing, L. & Gould, J. (1981) Sex ratios in early childhood autism and related conditions. Psychiatry Research, 5, 129–137.Google Scholar
Wing, L. & Gould, J. (1988) Aspects of Autism: Biological Research. London: Gaskell and The National Autistic Society.Google Scholar
World Health Organization (1992) The Tenth Revision of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10). Geneva: WHO.Google Scholar
Submit a response

eLetters

No eLetters have been published for this article.