Older autistic people need more help after years of misdiagnosis, review finds | Autism

After a study, the researchers called for better support for middle -aged and elderly autistic people, and found that 90% of autistic people over the age of 50 in Britain were undile or incorrectly diagnosed.

More awareness and global developed evaluations about autism mean that it has been typically detected in childhood today. However, in the last decade, autistic people were often forced to navigate in the middle and old age without the support it could unlock a diagnosis.

In the autism spectrum, the study of aging found that people in the United Kingdom faced widespread difficulties in milestone events such as employment, relationships and menopause and pension. They were constantly suffering from weaker mental and physical health.

“Autistic children turn into autistic adults, and we know that most of the physical and mental health problems are higher than that they are more likely to have a higher proportions of the problem of physical and mental health problems.” Re: Spect Lab King’s College is at London and the chief author of the study. “People often need a diagnosis to ask for appropriate assistance and support, or they need to recognize them in themselves.”

As part of the review, Stewart and Profesca Happé de King’s, the UK has analyzed health records since 2018. By comparing 1% national prevalence and autism rates in middle -aged and elderly people, 89% of the 60 to 59 years and older autistic people estimate that they are not over 60 years of age and over.

Although global autism rates have increased in the last decades – in 2022, one of every 31 Americans under eight years of age had a situation – the tendency is attributed to the expansion of the definitions in diagnoses rather than a real increase in the percentage of affected people.

The researchers continued to examine how non -autistic and non -autistic people progressed throughout life. First, it had a large number of situations from anxiety and depression to cardiovascular disease and neurological disorders.

Among the most disturbing findings, older autistic people had higher suicide thoughts and self -harm rates and the risk of early onset dementia.

The average life expectancy has varyed for six years, and autistic people may be distorted by the age of 81 for people who are not autistic, but these numbers may be distorted with poor diagnostic rates. Published in Details Annual examination of developmental psychology.

“We must understand how aging affects autistic people to better understand what kind of special help and support will benefit from autistic people,” Stewart said. “These are all [autism] The community needs to be consulted. “

Autism varies from person to person, but doctors seek basic characteristics when evaluating people. These include differences in social communication and solid and recurrent behaviors.

Differences in communication can cause people to be socially isolated. This can increase the risk of mental and physical health problems as well as the stigmatized people faced by many autistic people. It can also make it difficult for autistic people to find people who will approach for help and support.

According to the investigation, elderly autistic people were more likely to encounter difficulties in cope with big life events such as housing care.

Stewart said, not suddenly from nine to five of your whole working life, but this may have a real impact on you, ”Stewart said. “And if you suddenly enter a care house where you are forced to experience situations that you will not experience in your own home, this has a great impact.”

“If an autistic person has more difficulties throughout their lives, they may have real breaking points when they reach these points. Support will be really useful.”

Tim Nicholls in the National Autistic Society said: “This research clearly shows what we already know and what we hear – there are many unidentified autistic adults and has a great impact on many aspects of life without diagnosis.

“Autism assessments can be the first step in understanding the needs of people, and the diagnosis can change life and in some cases can be life -saving. Autistic people and their families are constantly confronted with a constant support, and very often starts with long waiting for a diagnosis.

“The government should provide urgent financing for diagnostic services and ensure that autistic people and families receive the support needed.”