Abstract

RUGGIERI, Víctor  and  CUESTA GOMEZ, José L. Envejecimiento en personas con trastorno del espectro autista. Medicina (B. Aires) [online]. 2018, vol.78, suppl.2, pp.69-74. ISSN 0025-7680.

Autism spectrum disorder is characterized by a qualitative alteration in social interaction and communication associated with restricted interests and stereotyped behaviors. This condition will accompany people throughout their lives, with variations in their evolution. Our objectives were to know the evolutionary characteristics of people with autistic spectrum disorder, analyzing cognitive, behavioral, health, mortality and their needs in the aging stage, which will guide the planning of specific support resources. We analyze studies related to the evolution in adult life in people with this disorder, with or without identified entities, and socio-health conditions that should be considered in the aging process. The knowledge about aging in people with autism is still scarce and it is difficult to define a specific pattern because this will depend, among other factors, on the etiology, the degree, the presence of intellectual disability and/or epilepsy, and the scope in where live, which can even condition the life expectancy. Aging has been associated with mood disorders, depression, deterioration in executive functions and episodic memory, although it is difficult to differentiate it from natural aging in people with typical development. The identification of a specific entity will allow to know the possible evolution and prevent complications in syndromes that may be associated with autism: fragile X, Down, Angelman, Rett and Williams, for that reason we rank the genetic and neurological consultation.

Keywords : Autism; Aging; Autism spectrum disorder; Fragile X; Down Angelman; Rett; Williams.

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