Self-Reported Quality of Life in Autistic Children

Principal Investigator: Taylor Munro, B.A.

Autism is a pervasive neurodevelopmental condition with a spectrum of presentations and neurodevelopmental trajectories. As the experience of being autistic is heterogeneous and subjective, it is important to utilize an individualized approach to care. Research has proposed that quality of life (QOL) assessments should be implemented to guide and monitor progress during intervention. However, QOL is not often utilized, and when it is, it is typically reported via a parent/informant report. As QOL is considered to be the subjective perception of an individual’s life satisfaction in the context of their values and beliefs, it has been suggested that self-report is the most accurate assessment of QOL. Research has not evaluated factors associated with ability to self-report QOL in autistic children. This study aims to assess the association between chronological age, cognitive ability, and adaptive communication and ability to complete a self-report QOL measure. Additionally, this study aims assess the association of chronological age, cognitive ability, and adaptive communication and concordance between self-report and parent report of QOL. Improved understanding of these characteristics is important to support efforts of assessing self-reported QOL for children with autism, which aims to ultimately improve individualized assessment and treatment services.

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