Ling-Yi Lin, Shu-Ning Yu, & Ya-Tsu Yu Department of Occupational Therapy, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan
Background of this study Overview of Current Conditions of Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in Taiwan Sample Results Summary Limitations Conclusion
a population of 23 million people in Taiwan the overall prevalence of people with disabilities in Taiwan has been estimated at 4.65% (TMOI, 2011) the annual rate of increase in ASD was 16.5% (TMOI, 2008)
12000 10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 2062 Number of Persons with ASD in Taiwan 8151 7207 6185 5359 4562 3766 3135 2550 9160 10160 0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 (TMOI, 2011) Year
Number of Persons with ASD by Age 3893 3179 1896 1050 124 18 0-5 6-11 12-17 18-29 30-44 45+ Age (TMOI, 2011)
Night Accommodation Institutions All-day Accommodation Institutions Day Service Institutions 8 158 86 (TMOI, 2011)
Adult Outcomes: Functional Independence living arrangement high levels of assistance and care (Eaves & Ho, 2008; Esbensen et al., 2010; Howlin, 2000; Howlin et al., 2004; Seltzer & Krauss, 1989; Seltzer et al., 2000; Taylor & Seltzer, 2011)
Adult Outcomes: Occupation a low rate of employment tended to work in menial jobs (Ballaban-Gil et al., 1996; Billstedt et al., 2005; Ellison et al., 2005; Eaves & Ho, 2008; Howlin et al, 2004; Taylor & Seltzer, 2011)
Research in Taiwan is limited. Chang (1996) reported that: 80% of 91 adolescents and adults with ASD lived with their nuclear families they could not independently care for themselves only 9.9% of them had part-time jobs
To investigate outcomes related to functional independence and employment among people with ASD in Taiwan
What activities do adults with ASD do in their daily living? Are adults with ASD employed? What kind of jobs do adults with ASD have?
We enrolled 81 people with ASD and their caregivers/guardians in southern Taiwan. People with ASD had been diagnosed by a medical or mental health professional using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV (DSM-IV) criteria (APA, 1994).
40 30 20 10 0 Male to Female ratio=5.7:1 4 Mean (SD) = 22.8 (5.1) 3 31 24 2 12 2 18-20 21-25 26-30 31+ Men Women
Autism Severity Autistic disorder Asperger s Syndrome PDD-NOS Mild Moderate Severe Profound 2% 15% 5% 22% 51% 80% 25%
A modified version of Barthel Index (Mahoney & Barthel, 1965) Frenchay Activities Index (FAI) (Holbrook & Skilbeck, 1983) current information on the employment status, occupational activities, vocational training programs, and types of jobs of the adults with ASD
100% Results: Self-care activities 95% 90% 85% 80% 75% feeding/eating bathing grooming dressing toileting mobility Does tasks independently Needs assistance Totally dependent
The Most Frequent Instrumental Activities of Daily Living 100 80 60 40 92.7% 89% 86.6% 20 0 walking outside more than 15 mins light housework local shopping
90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 The Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Persons with ASD Have Never Done or Been 83% 77% 71.6% 53.1% 52% 51% maintained a household or a car gainfully employed prepared main meals done laundry done gardening actively pursued an outdoor hobby
Employment Status and Occupational Activities 7% 6% 5% Employment: < 20 hours per week Employment: 20 hours per week 82% Schooling Staying at home
Categories Autistic Disorder Asperger s Syndrome PDD-NOS n % n % n % Employment 10 15.4 1 8.3 - - < 20 hours per week 6 9.2 - - - - 20 hours per week 4 6.2 1 8.3 - - Schooling 3 4.6 1 8.3 - - Staying at home 52 80 10 83.3 4 100 PDD-NOS, Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified.
food and beverage service (n = 5) baking (n = 2) cleaning (n = 2) music (n = 1) baggage handler (n =1)
60 Difference in Level of Functional Independence 50 40 30 20 42.9 30.8 employed/schooling (n = 15) unemployed (n = 66) 10 0 FAI scores (F = 23.3, p <.001)
All persons with ASD lived with their caregivers or guardians. About 80% of the participants with ASD could independently take care of themselves.
The ability to engage in instrumental activities of daily living may be an outcome indicator. Most of the participants with ASD were unemployed, stayed at home, and were cared for by family members.
Only 11 of the participants with ASD were employed and four were attending school. Employed participants with ASD tended to Employed participants with ASD tended to have menial jobs.
Small sample size No comparison group Better to evaluate individuals with ASD directly
The results of this survey study provide information to support the design of adequate interventions to meet the needs of adults with ASD, particularly those in Taiwan. Future research using larger study populations with a comparison group is needed.
Support for this research was provided by grant NSC 99-2815-C-006-009-B from the Taiwan National Science Council. We thank the families who participated in this research and the parents autism associations in Taiwan.
Thank you for your attention! E-mail: lingyi@mail.ncku.edu.tw