Autism in Adulthood: A Peer Reviewed Journal

Author: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News
Published: 15 Dec 2017 - Updated: 28 Feb 2025
Publication Details: Peer-Reviewed, Scholarly Paper

Contents: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates - Related Publications

Synopsis: This report introduces Autism in Adulthood, a peer-reviewed journal focusing on critical issues affecting adults on the autism spectrum, from emerging adulthood through later life. The journal offers evidence-based original research, reviews, methodological advancements, and perspectives, including contributions from autistic adults themselves. Led by Editor-in-Chief Dr. Christina Nicolaidis, the publication addresses topics such as physical and mental health, co-occurring conditions, aging-related changes, and transitions across the lifespan. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue among researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and the autism community, the journal aims to inform practice, influence policy, and drive systemic change to enhance the quality of life for autistic adults.*

Introduction

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers announces Autism in Adulthood, a new peer-reviewed journal dedicated to biological, neurological, psychological, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral research and scholarship on the most pressing issues affecting adults on the autism spectrum, from emerging adulthood to later life. The Journal will be the premier source for authoritative original research, in-depth analysis, and inter-professional dialogue, providing new insights and evidence to promote practice, systems, and policy change.

Main Content

A half million youths with ASD will become adults in the United States over the next decade and there is a global unmet need for dissemination of data pertaining to adults on the autism spectrum, with most research having been focused on the pediatric population. Autism in Adulthood will meet the imperative for research and better coordinated services targeted to youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who are transitioning to adulthood and throughout the life cycle.

Autism in Adulthood will be led by Editor-in-Chief Christina Nicolaidis, MD, MPH, who co-directs the Academic Autism Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education (AASPIRE) and has joint appointments at Portland State University and Oregon Health & Science University.

Dr. Nicolaidis guided an established group of thought leaders on the Editorial Board of Autism in Adulthood, including Simon Baron-Cohen (University of Cambridge, UK), Akio Wakabayashi (Chiba University, Japan) Clarissa Kripke (University of California, San Francisco), Alexia Rattazzi (PANAACEA, Buenos Aires, Argentina), Lisa Croen (Kaiser Permanente Northern California), Jeremy Parr (Newcastle University, UK), Scott Robertson (US Department of Labor), and Associate Editor Dora Raymaker (Portland State University).

Autism in Adulthood publishes fully peer-reviewed, evidence-based original articles, review articles, advances in methodology, and perspectives, as well as an array of frontmatter content including editorials, analysis, and commentary, including some from adults on the autism spectrum.

An interdisciplinary community of autism researchers, scholars, and practitioners from multiple fields, including bioethics, biology, cognitive science, disability studies, education, family medicine, geriatrics, gerontology, internal medicine, neurology, neuroscience, nursing, occupational science and therapy, physical therapy, psychiatry, psychology, public health, rehabilitation counseling and medicine, social work, sociology, and speech language pathology; adults on the autism spectrum and their families; and policy-makers and health and social services administrators are invited to participate in this new resource.

Topics in Autism in Adulthood will include:

• Physical and mental health of adults on the autism spectrum
• Basic science research with implications for autism in adulthood
• Identification, treatment, and accommodation of co-occurring conditions
• Biological, neurological, psychological, cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and social changes with aging
• Autistic intelligence, sensory processing, communication, executive functioning, and flexibility
• Transitions across the lifespan, including transitions to and through adulthood
• Methodological advances for conducting research on autism in adulthood
• Intersectionality of autism and race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, disability, class, trauma, discrimination, and other social determinants of health
• Employment, housing, education, community participation, economic well-being, and quality of life
• Ethical issues in research, practice, or policy on autism in adulthood

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

The launch of Autism in Adulthood marks a significant step toward addressing the longstanding gap in research and resources dedicated to autistic adults. As a platform for diverse voices and rigorous scholarship, it has the potential to reshape our understanding and support of the adult autism community, promoting inclusivity and informed policy decisions. With so little out there on this topic - especially compared to the focus on kids - this journal fills a real gap. It's a must-read for people with disabilities, their families, seniors curious about aging with autism, or anyone in healthcare and policy who wants solid, evidence-based insights to improve lives

Attribution/Source(s): This peer reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News and published on 15 Dec 2017, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.

* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.