Though typically diagnosed in early childhood, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is considered a lifelong disorder. According to Patricia Howlin and Philippa Moss, prevalence rates of ASD in adults appear similar to those in children (about 1%). According to Elizabeth Perkins and Karen Berkman, the average lifelong cost of ASD per person is millions of dollars due to treatment costs, lost wages, and other factors. Despite the disorder’s chronicity and associated costs, little is known about ASD’s long-term effects. A brief review of available literature is provided in this entry