Prevalence and Impact of Significant Life Events for Adults with Asperger Syndrome

Little is known about the significant life events experienced by adults with Asperger syndrome (AS), though these may result in psychiatric illness. This study looks at the prevalence and types of significant life experiences among 51 adults with AS, the largest-available-to-date sample of adults with AS in Ontario. The most frequently reported life events (in the last two months) included: unemployment; financial problems; mistreatment; disruptions in interpersonal relations; change in living arrangements; and disruptions of routine at work or school. The majority of respondents had at least one significant life event, 58.8% had experienced at least two, and 41.2% had at least three. A significant relationship was found between the number of life events and reported levels of distress. The results suggest that adults with AS may experience significant life events more frequently than adults with other types of developmental disabilities.