Objective: Collation of frequencies and clinical characteristics of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in persons with intellectual disability (ID).
Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of a clinical psychiatric sample of 710 adults with ID and mental disorders.
Results: The frequency of ASD in an adult sample with ID was 19%. The occurrence of ASD was associated with a higher severity of ID, male gender (in mild to moderate ID), anticonvulsive therapy and reduced employment rates in workshops.
Conclusion: The ASD are a frequent clinical diagnosis in adults with ID.
Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; Frequencies; Intellectual disability; Medication; Psychiatric comorbidities.