09/22/2026
Dr. Stephen Sheinkopf — clinical psychologist and clinician scientist at the Thompson Center — and a team of collaborators recently investigated how independence and social connectedness play key roles in the well-being of autistic young adults: a very underrepresented area of research.
In a newly published study, the researchers explored data from over 260 autistic young adults between the ages of 18 and 24, examining the effects of where the participants lived and who they lived with on emotional and behavioral health, including satisfaction with social life, depression, and substance use. By providing insights into these patterns, the study aims to assist families, providers, and policymakers in creating better supports for autistic young adults as they transition to adulthood.
This article, "Understanding the Impact of Living Situation and Social Satisfaction on Depression and Substance Use in Autistic Young Adults Without Intellectual Disability," was published in Autism in Adulthood. Read more at https://thompsoncenter.missouri.edu/publications/