Autism spectrum disorder grown up: a chart review of adult functioning.

Objective: To survey the adult functioning of patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and to compare the outcomes for those diagnosed in childhood with those diagnosed as adults.

Methods: Using a chart review, we evaluated the adult outcomes for 45 individuals diagnosed with ASD prior to age 18, and compared this with the functioning of 35 patients whose ASD was identified after 18 years. Concurrent mental illnesses were noted for both groups.

Too many sad stories: clinician stress and coping.

Introduction: Mental health clinicians make their careers working with patients and families who have experienced extremes of stress and trauma.

Methods: The psychological effects on the caregiver of prolonged therapeutic work with traumatized patients have previously been studied within the theoretical frameworks of Burnout, Secondary Post Traumatic Stress and Vicarious Traumatization.

Results: We report a qualitative study of experienced clinicians' responses to the stressors inherent in such therapeutic work, and the coping strategies they developed.