Autism Spectrum Disroder Translational Team (ASD TT)

This translational team is focused on optimizing quality of life for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. 

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects one in 59 individuals. The average lifetime public cost of ASD is approximately $4.7 million per affected person. Premature mortality is increased in ASD, largely related to co-occurring medical conditions. Moreover, adult outcomes for individuals with ASD are grim. Historically, only three to 16 percent of adults with ASD have lived independently. Employment rates have ranged from four to 34 percent. They experience a markedly lower quality of life compared to neurotypical adults, with about 70 percent experiencing depression and/or anxiety. 

The Autism Spectrum Disorder Translational Team has current translational ASD research and student training underway in several spaces, and the capabilities for future work are very broad. Significant contributions will be made toward optimizing interventions, understanding co-occurring conditions and identifying biomarkers in ASD, with a special focus on the underserved population of aging adults.