A comprehensive new review has revealed that the vast majority of older autistic adults remain undiagnosed, with significant implications for their health and wellbeing. The analysis, led by Dr Gavin Stewart of King’s College London, found that 89% of autistic individuals aged between 40 and 59 have never received a formal diagnosis. This figure rises to 97% for those over 60.
Drawing on multiple studies, the review highlights that undiagnosed autistic people face heightened risks of both physical and mental health issues. These include cardiovascular disease, immune disorders, gastrointestinal problems, anxiety, and depression. Many also struggle with employment, social isolation, and accessing appropriate medical care due to the challenges posed by communication differences and sensory sensitivities.
Dr Stewart emphasised that undiagnosed autism can lead to a lack of access to vital support services, exacerbating mental health difficulties and reducing overall quality of life. He noted that many older people were overlooked in childhood due to the narrow diagnostic criteria used in earlier decades, and that autism was not officially recognised in diagnostic manuals until the 1960s.
The review also found that only 0.4% of autism research to date has focused on older adults, leaving significant gaps in understanding how autism affects people later in life. Misdiagnosis is another major issue, with a 2019 study showing that one in four autistic adults were initially diagnosed with other psychiatric conditions.
As awareness grows among healthcare professionals and the public, more adults are being correctly identified. However, the review calls for more inclusive research and policy changes to better support autistic individuals across the lifespan.
