Autism after adolescence: population-based 13- to 22-year follow-up study of 120 individuals with autism diagnosed in childhood.

Eva and her team tracked 120 Swedish children who got an autism diagnosis between 1960 and 1984. They looked at how these people were doing 13 to 22 years later, when they were 17 to 40 years old. The researchers visited homes, gave IQ tests, and checked if each person could live, work, and take care of themselves on their own.

Seventy-eight percent had poor or very poor adult outcomes. Only four people lived on their own. Childhood IQ above 70 and having some words before age six were the best signs of a better adult life. Most still needed daily help from parents or staff.

Ghanouni et al. (2021) talked to adults, parents, and staff and named three must-haves for independence: steady mental health, money skills, and real community ties. Their work adds flesh to Eva’s numbers, showing exactly where supports must aim.

Lineberry et al. (2023) found that less than 40 percent of UK autistic adults get any follow-up after diagnosis. This extends Eva’s warning: poor outcomes stay common when services stop at adulthood.

Krafft et al. (2019) showed parents of teens already fear the future. Eva’s results confirm those fears are realistic without stronger transition plans.

If you write transition plans, use IQ and early language as red-flag signals, but don’t stop there. Add goals for handling money, staying calm under stress, and joining real community activities. Start these goals before 16, because the adult world rarely offers second chances.