Publication Date

5-2023

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Carl Myers, Frederick Grieve, Thomas Gross

Degree Program

Department of Psychology

Degree Type

Master of Arts

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits across multiple domains such as deficits in social communication and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior. The prevalence of ASD has increased over time, and while there are ample screeners and assessments for children, there is a distinct lack of screeners for young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 years. The present study focused on exploring the gap in screeners for ASD in young adults and assessing the insight of experts in the field toward the development of a screener for ASD in young adults. Participants (N = 6) were individuals who have earned a doctorate, have expertise diagnosing or working with individuals diagnosed with ASD, and have been working with this population for at least two years. Thematic analysis was utilized to reveal themes of the presentation of ASD in young adults between the ages of 18 to 25 years through the lens of each of the diagnostic criteria for ASD found in the DSM-5-TR. This study helps to shed light on the gap in psychological screeners for ASD, and it provides potential information for the development of a psychological screener for ASD in young adults.

Disciplines

Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment | Diagnosis | Mental and Social Health

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