CFS Faculty Dr. Elizabeth Perkins serves as guest editor on Special Issue of the American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Congratulations to CFS faculty Dr. Elizabeth Perkins on the release of the Special Issue on Aging and End of Life for the American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AJIDD). Dr. Perkins served as guest editor for this issue with Dr. Sandra Friedman from the University of Colorado at Denver. AJIDD has been one of the premier journals in this field for more than 115 years. Dr Perkins comments, "We are particularly pleased that our objective to represent a diverse range of aging topics has been achieved."
One of the articles featured in the Special Issue on Aging and End of Life was written by Dr. Perkins and co-author Dr. Karen Berkman (CFS Faculty and Executive Director of the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities). In their article, Into the Unknown: Aging with Autism Spectrum Disorders, they reviewed studies that addressed life expectancy, comorbid physical and mental health issues, changes with ASD symptomatology, and social, residential, and vocational outcomes. They conclude that aging with an autism spectrum disorder does present challenges, but there is also evidence that positive outcomes are attainable.
Citations
Perkins, E. A., & Friedman, S. L. (2012). Introduction to the Special Issue on Aging and End of Life. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 117, 439-441.
Perkins, E. A, & Berkman, K. A. (2012). Into the unknown: aging with autism spectrum disorders. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 117, 478-496.
Reprints can be requested directly from Dr. Perkins at eperkins@usf.edu.