Autism Spectrum Disorder: Proposal for a Program Designed to Improve the Quality of Life in Adults with Autism

Over the past several decades, individuals with autism and other intellectual disabilities have experienced a significant increase in life expectancy, from 18 years in 1961 to over 60 years in 2011 (Dieckmann, Giovis, & Offergeld, 2015). This improvement is attributed to societal acceptance, better medical care, mainstream education, and family-based upbringing, contrasting with past practices of institutionalization. As a result, these individuals now spend the majority of their lives as adults, presenting new challenges for social services originally designed for children. This paper examines the care and support needed for adults with intellectual disabilities, with a particular focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It addresses critical areas such as guardianship, community involvement, and cultural stereotypes. Additionally, it proposes a project aimed at enhancing the quality of life (QoL) for adults with ASD, equipping them with skills for independent living and integration into mainstream society. To contextualize the QoL project, the paper provides a brief history of autism and its treatments. Autism existed long before it was formally recognized, with early descriptions dating back to the 1700s. Significant contributions came from figures like Jean-Etienne Dominique Esquirol and Grunya Sukhareva, whose work laid the foundation for modern diagnostic criteria. The most detailed early descriptions of ASD were provided by Leo Kanner and Hans Asperger in the 1930s and 1940s. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), based on early 20th-century behaviorism, plays a key role in ASD treatment, using positive reinforcement to teach effective behaviors and improve lives. The proposed QoL project leverages ABA principles to support young adults with ASD, addressing the gap in services for adults and ensuring they receive continued support into adulthood.