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THE TRANSITION FROM CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES (CAMHS) TO ADULT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES (AMHS): WHAT ABOUT AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER?

par Figueiredo Oliveira Reis, Joana ;Marchini, Simone ;Delvenne, Véronique
Référence Psychiatria Danubina, 33, page (52-57)
Publication Publié, 2021-03-01

Article révisé par les pairs

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Résumé :

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder and a long-term condition that may require psychiatric life-long care. Transition from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) to Adult Mental Health Services (AMHS) possibly concerns a great portion of patients with ASD. This study focuses on transitional age youth (TAY) with ASD and proposes specific innovative tools to manage the transition process. Subjects and methods: This explorative study focuses on TAY with ASD. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and personal medical history was collected. Three self-rated questionnaires were used: the Health of The Nation Outcome Scales For Children And Adolescents (HoNOSCA-SR), to assess care need, the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) scale and the Transition Readiness and Appropriateness Measure (TRAM), to evaluate barriers to functioning. Results: The sample was composed of 10 patients with ASD aged from 17 to 18. The majority of them were male (70%) and born in Belgium (60%). The median (interquartile range) age of ASD diagnosis was 16 (13-17). The comorbidity rate was 60% for psychiatric disorders and 30% for somatic diseases; 80% of the participants were under psychotropic drugs. The average questionnaires scores were respectively: HoNOSCA-SR = 21.63 (±9.90), WHOQOL-BREF physical health = 50.88 (±19.14), psychological health = 36.13 (±13.97), social relationships = 48.50 (±18.23) and environment = 59.38 (±14.08); TRAM's number of barriers to functioning were 4.25 (±1.39). Conclusions: These preliminary data, accompanied by current recommendations, allow to clarify the strategies to an optimal transition in ASD. Special insight is given to strategies to reach a well-managed transition from CAMHS to AMHS, such as the assessment of psychiatric and somatic comorbidities, the care need continuity, the elaboration, in advance, of a transition plan, the assessment of the barriers to functioning, and the involvement of young patients and their families.