Ageing and autism: A longitudinal follow-up study of mental health and quality of life in autistic adults

Research has shown that over half of autistic people experience difficulties related to poor mental health, such as anxiety and depression. Complex physical health conditions and medication can also negatively affect the well-being of autistic people. In the general population, poor mental health is a common contributor to poorer quality of life and social isolation. Little is known about how these conditions affect the quality of life of autistic adults as they grow older, or whether these factors related improve or worsen over time. The research presented in this paper aimed to find out how mental health and physical health conditions affect the quality of life of autistic adults in older age. We worked with a community group of adults across 4 years, which involved assessments at two time points (T1. T2). Over half of all autistic adults experienced mental and physical health difficulties. We report how these conditions affect the quality of life and well-being of autistic adults across the adult lifespan and continue to present difficulties over time. We offer suggestions for future work to support the mental health and well-being of autistic adults in later life that considers individual differences, such as those between men, women or other gender identities

Social prescribing for autistic people: A framework for service provision [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]

Social Prescribing (SP) is the referral of patients to non-clinical services for practical, physical or psychosocial support. Recent guidelines from the National Health Service England mean that SP will become commonplace for people with complex healthcare needs. Autistic adults make up 1% of the population and commonly have co-existing physical and mental health conditions, therefore they are likely to be referred to SP services. As yet, no studies have examined the efficacy of SP for autistic adults. In this letter, we review the existing literature examining the efficacy of SP in the general population. We further examine the factors that should be considered when offering SP to autistic adults in order to optimise outcomes

Aging and autism: Do measures of autism symptoms, co-occurring mental health conditions, or quality of life differ between younger and older autistic adults?

Previous research has consistently indicated that autistic adults experience higher rates of co-occurring mental health difficulties and poorer quality of life (QoL) than their non-autistic peers. Little is known, however, about these aspects in older age or whether younger and older autistic adults experience similar patterns This cross-sectional study investigated potential age-related effects on autism symptoms, self-reported mental health and QoL in younger and older autistic adults (n=79, aged 19-71 years) compared to a non-autistic control group (n=57) matched for gender, age and IQ. Results showed that autistic adults had higher levels of self-reported autism symptoms and poorer QoL than controls. There were no significant age effects on autism symptoms or on most self-rated mental health symptoms. However, significantly more autistic adults in the younger versus older group scored above the clinical threshold for anxiety, somatoform disorders and eating disorders. Older autistic adults rated social QoL as significantly better than younger autistic adults; there was no significant age difference in the control group. Self-reported QoL was best predicted by self-ratings of severity of depressive symptoms in both groups. Further research is needed to track autism and co-occurring mental health symptomatology across the lifespan, so that service provision can be tailored accordingly