Study shows older autistic adults face greater health risks than non-autistic peers
A study published in the Annual Review of Developmental Psychology has suggested that autistic adults aged over 40 face greater risks of physical and mental illness than their non-autistic peers.
The research, conducted by King’s College London, outlines how autistic adults are more likely to develop certain health conditions, including young onset dementia, and how the average life expectancy between autistic and non-autistic adults differs.
Professor Francesca Happé, co-author of the research, says:
“As autistic people age, the nature of the challenges they face changes. We must adopt a lifespan approach that funds long-term research, integrates tailored healthcare, and expands social supports so that ageing autistic people can live happy and healthy lives.”
You can read the study here: https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-devpsych-111323-090813