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New Research Published on the Health Concerns and Health Service Utilization in a Population Cohort of Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

SEPTEMBER 14, 2017

Congratulations to co-authors Dr. Barry Isaacs, Director of the Research and Evaluation Unit of Surrey Place Centre and Dr. Heidi Diepstra, Research Associate in the Developmental Disabilities Primary Care Program at Surrey Place Centre who were part of the research project on the health concerns and health service utilization in a population cohort of young adults living with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). 

The findings suggest a need to examine how health services can better address mental health issues such as depression and anxiety in young adults with ASD. The study, published on Wednesday September 13, 2017 in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, also found that young adults with ASD were more likely to visit a psychiatrist or a hospital emergency department for psychiatric reasons. 

The goal is to help influence health policy and make it a priority for the planning of the mental health care of transition age adults with ASD. 

To read the Research Publications click here.

To read the Globe and Mail article click here.

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By 2 months

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By 6 months

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Startle in response to loud noises? YES NO
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Make different cries for different needs (hungry, tired)? YES NO
Watch your face as you talk? YES NO
Smile/laugh in response to your smiles and laughs? YES NO
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By 9 months

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Respond to their name? YES NO
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Understand being told no? YES NO
Get what they want through using gestures (reaching to be picked up)? YES NO
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Enjoy being around people? YES NO
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By 12 months

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Follow simple one-step directions (sit down)? YES NO
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Bring you toys to show you? YES NO
Perform for social attention and praise? YES NO
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By 18 months

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Understand the meaning of in and out, off and on? YES NO
Point to more than 2 body parts when asked? YES NO
Use at least 20 words consistently? YES NO
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Make at least four different consonant sounds (p ,b, m, n, d, g, w, h)? YES NO
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Point to pictures using one finger? YES NO

By 2 years

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Follow two-step directions (Go find your teddy bear and show it to Grandma.)? YES NO
Use 100 to 150 words? YES NO
Use at least two pronouns (you, me, mine)? YES NO
Consistently combine two to four words in short phrases (Daddy hat. Truck go down.)? YES NO
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Begin to offer toys to other children and imitate other children's actions and words? YES NO
Use words that are understood by others 50 to 60 per cent of the time? YES NO
Form words or sounds easily and without effort? YES NO
Hold books the right way up and turn the pages? YES NO
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By 30 months

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Combine several actions in play (puts blocks in the train and drives the train, drops the blocks off.)? YES NO
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By 3 years

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Follow directions involving three or more steps (First get some paper, then draw a picture and give it to Mommy)? YES NO
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Match some letters with their sounds (letter b says buh, letter t says tuh)? YES NO