Abstract：
OBJECTIVE: As the understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) across the lifespan has increased, so has the number of individuals being identified with ASD for the first time in adulthood. Understanding co-occurring psychiatric conditions in this subset of the ASD population is a growing focus of research; however, little is known about the rate at which psychiatric medications are prescribed to adults with a first-time diagnosis of ASD. The purpose of this study was to examine self-reported medication use in persons diagnosed with ASD in adulthood in a clinic sample (2012-2022) in the United States.
METHODS: The present study was a retrospective record review. Participants (n = 281) were drawn from an outpatient clinic specializing in the diagnosis of ASD in adults. Participants self-reported previous and current psychiatric medication prescription using a medication checklist.
RESULTS: Approximately 50% of participants self-reported being prescribed at least one psychiatric medication at the time of their initial evaluation appointment. The most commonly prescribed psychiatric medications were antidepressants (23.8%), followed by stimulants (16.7%).
CONCLUSIONS: Similar to individuals diagnosed with ASD in childhood, those identified with ASD for the first time in adulthood are prescribed psychiatric medication at a much higher rate than their same-age non-autistic peers. These results can inform future research and practice for improving outcomes for autistic adults, particularly those who were undiagnosed for much of their lives.
METHODS: The present study was a retrospective record review. Participants (n = 281) were drawn from an outpatient clinic specializing in the diagnosis of ASD in adults. Participants self-reported previous and current psychiatric medication prescription using a medication checklist.
RESULTS: Approximately 50% of participants self-reported being prescribed at least one psychiatric medication at the time of their initial evaluation appointment. The most commonly prescribed psychiatric medications were antidepressants (23.8%), followed by stimulants (16.7%).
CONCLUSIONS: Similar to individuals diagnosed with ASD in childhood, those identified with ASD for the first time in adulthood are prescribed psychiatric medication at a much higher rate than their same-age non-autistic peers. These results can inform future research and practice for improving outcomes for autistic adults, particularly those who were undiagnosed for much of their lives.
摘要：
目的：随着对自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）在整个生命周期中的了解增加，成年后首次被识别为ASD的人数也是如此。了解ASD人群中同时发生的精神疾病是越来越多的研究重点；然而，对首次诊断为ASD的成年人开精神病药物的比率知之甚少.这项研究的目的是在美国的临床样本（2012-2022）中检查成年后被诊断为ASD的人的自我报告药物使用情况。
方法：本研究为回顾性记录综述。参与者（n=281）来自专门诊断成人ASD的门诊诊所。参与者使用药物清单自我报告以前和当前的精神病药物处方。
结果：大约50%的参与者自我报告在初次评估时至少开了一种精神科药物。最常用的精神科药物是抗抑郁药（23.8%），其次是兴奋剂(16.7%)。
结论：与儿童时期被诊断为ASD的个体相似，那些在成年后首次被确诊为ASD的患者,其服用精神科药物的比例远高于同龄非自闭症患者.这些结果可以为未来的研究和实践提供信息，以改善自闭症成年人的预后。尤其是那些一生中大部分时间都未被诊断的人。
方法：本研究为回顾性记录综述。参与者（n=281）来自专门诊断成人ASD的门诊诊所。参与者使用药物清单自我报告以前和当前的精神病药物处方。
结果：大约50%的参与者自我报告在初次评估时至少开了一种精神科药物。最常用的精神科药物是抗抑郁药（23.8%），其次是兴奋剂(16.7%)。
结论：与儿童时期被诊断为ASD的个体相似，那些在成年后首次被确诊为ASD的患者,其服用精神科药物的比例远高于同龄非自闭症患者.这些结果可以为未来的研究和实践提供信息，以改善自闭症成年人的预后。尤其是那些一生中大部分时间都未被诊断的人。
