The Quality of Life Among Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Moroney, Katharine F

Publication:
The Quality of Life Among Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

dc.contributor.advisor	Mary V. Anianopoulos
dc.contributor.advisor	Mary Lynn Boscardin
dc.contributor.author	Moroney, Katharine F
dc.contributor.department	University of Massachusetts Amherst
dc.contributor.department	Communication Disorders
dc.date	2024-03-28T20:21:50.000
dc.date.accessioned	2024-04-26T18:16:25Z
dc.date.available	2024-04-26T18:16:25Z
dc.date.submitted	May
dc.date.submitted	2015
dc.description.abstract	Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that may affect several aspects of communication, including social and pragmatic functioning. There is a paucity of research in general involving adults with ASD, especially in the United States. Moreover, the strand of research that is significantly lacking involves the quality of life among adults with ASD. While considering the increase in the prevalence of ASD, it is important to empirically investigate the Quality of Life (QoL) of adults with ASD. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines QoL as, “the individual’s perception of their position in life… ranging from the person’s physical health, psychological state, level of independence, social relationships, personal beliefs, and their relationship to salient features of their environment” (WHO; The WHOQoL Group, 1995). A review of the literature evaluating the QoL of individuals with ASD revealed that the main focus has been on the cognitive functioning and academic achievement; however, these measures alone do not predict QoL (Burgess & Gutstein, 2007). The purpose of this study is to empirically investigate those variables deemed to contribute most to QoL in a sample population of adults (18 years and older) with ASD using a cross-sectional descriptive research method. Participants were age and gender matched with neurotypically developing individuals. This study identified factors that significantly influenced QoL in a sample population of adults with ASD. Early intervention, including middle and high school transitioning of students with ASD should proactively address those variables that are deemed to yield positive QoL outcomes.
dc.description.degree	Master of Arts (M.A.)
dc.identifier.doi	https://doi.org/10.7275/6959684
dc.identifier.orcid	N/A
dc.identifier.uri	https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14394/33209
dc.relation.url	https://scholarworks.umass.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1233&context=masters_theses_2&unstamped=1
dc.source.status	published
dc.subject	Autism
dc.subject	ASD
dc.subject	Quality of Life
dc.subject	Speech and Hearing Science
dc.subject	Speech Pathology and Audiology
dc.title	The Quality of Life Among Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder
dc.type	openaccess
dc.type	article
dc.type	thesis
digcom.contributor.author	isAuthorOfPublication\|email:kmoroney@comdis.umass.edu\|institution:University of Massachusetts Amherst\|Moroney, Katharine F
digcom.identifier	masters_theses_2/219
digcom.identifier.contextkey	6959684
digcom.identifier.submissionpath	masters_theses_2/219
dspace.entity.type	Publication