Overview

• A King's College London review in the Annual Review of Developmental Psychology estimates 89% of autistic adults aged 40–59 and 97% aged 60+ in the UK have no formal diagnosis, based on a re-analysis of 2018 health records.
• Middle-aged and older autistic adults show higher rates of almost all physical and mental health conditions than peers, including cardiovascular, immune, neurological and gastrointestinal disorders, as well as anxiety and depression.
• The synthesis reports sixfold higher risk of suicidal ideation and self-harm among older adults with high autistic traits, a fourfold increase in early-onset dementia diagnoses, and an average life expectancy of 75 versus 81 years for non-autistic people.
• Access to appropriate care is hindered by communication differences, sensory sensitivities, uncertainty about services, continuity-of-care concerns and limited clinician understanding, alongside poorer employment, relationships and greater social isolation.
• Authors and advocates call for a lifespan approach with long-term research, tailored healthcare and expanded social supports, and the National Autistic Society urges urgent funding to reduce waits for diagnostic assessments.