A systematic review of ecological momentary assessment in autism research.

The review found that most studies included young and middle-aged adults with average or above-average intelligence, so findings may not apply to autistic children, older adults, or those with intellectual disability. There was significant heterogeneity in EMA designs and measures across the included studies, making direct comparisons difficult. Only a subset of studies reported detailed data on factors influencing response rates, such as IQ or specific questionnaire designs. The review was limited to English-language publications, potentially excluding relevant studies from other regions.

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest and received no financial support for the research.

Do not assume EMA is equally feasible for all autistic individuals. The evidence supports its use mainly for adults with average or above-average intelligence and language skills. Applying it to children, older adults, or those with intellectual disability requires careful adaptation and may not yield reliable data without further testing.