Understanding Autism in Adulthood
Co-Occurring Conditions in Adults
Living with autism isn’t just about managing social interactions. It’s also about juggling a few extra health challenges. One biggie is epilepsy, which is more common among autistic folks than you’d think. There’s a noticeable leap from just 5% of autistic kids to a whopping 12.1% of autistic adults on Medicaid having epilepsy. So, we keep asked about, “Does autism get worse with age?”
| Age Group | Prevalence of Epilepsy (%) |
| Kids (1-17) | 5 |
| Adults (18-64) | 12.1 |
On top of that, there’s often a mix of anxiety, depression, and tummy troubles in the mix, too. Tackling these isn’t a one-size-fits-all deal; it calls for a good team of doctors and mental health pros who know their stuff. When those living with autism and their families get a grip on how common these issues are, they can shout louder for the right healthcare and support services.
Challenges in Sleep and Eating
Catchin’ some Z’s and chowin’ down can be a tough gig for those with autism, no matter how many candles are on their birthday cake. Falling and staying asleep feels like a wild ride – kids face it, and it doesn’t automatically fix itself when they grow up. These sleep blips can send ripples through everything from acting up to snagging new skills.
| Sleep Challenge | Description |
| Trouble Falling Asleep | Sleep dodges ’em |
| Frequent Wake-Ups | Up and alert when they shouldn’t be |
| Impact on Life | Shakes up moods and learning |
Steppin’ over to mealtime, about 70% of autistic kids are pretty finicky. These food-flipping habits aren’t just phases—they often stick around. Adults might still be picky eaters with a limited menu, which messes with getting the right nutrients and staying healthy.
For folks looking after someone with autism, spotting and working through these hang-ups can mean the world. Creating special meal plans and setting better sleep routines can take some of the load off. When families get a handle on these autism-adulting quirks, they can make life a tad smoother and more enjoyable for everyone involved.
| Eating Challenge | Description |
| Picky Eaters | Sticking to favorites |
| No-Go Foods | Certain textures or tastes are just no-gos |
| Limited Choices | Not much variety at dinner time |
For folks looking after someone with autism, spotting and working through these hang-ups can mean the world. Creating special meal plans and setting better sleep routines can take some of the load off. When families get a handle on these autism-adulting quirks, they can make life a tad smoother and more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Mental Health in Aging Autistic Individuals
Getting older is like a rollercoaster, and for those with autism, it can add a few extra loops! As time rolls on, new challenges—like dealing with mental health—can pop up. Let’s chat about what’s ticking in the heads of our aging autistic friends, especially when depression, anxiety, and some quirky conditions like schizophrenia tag along.
Depression and Anxiety Rates
Walking through the adult door can sometimes bring along some unwanted guests – depression and anxiety. Imagine munching on these wild stats: a study shows that for adults with autism, anxiety comes to visit 27% of them, while depression isn’t far behind at 23%. Meanwhile, folks without autism have anxiety lounging around at 1-12% and depression at just 7%.
If you’re in the Medicaid neighborhood, it gets even trickier. For kids with autism (1 to 17 years old), a hefty 7.5% have depression, and it jumps to 20.2% for adults with autism (18 to 64 years old). Clearly, we gotta get in early with some mental health superpowers and keep the support flowing.
| Age Group | Autism & Depression (%) | General Population & Depression (%) | Autism & Anxiety (%) | General Population & Anxiety (%) |
| Children (1-17 years) | 7.5% | 7% | N/A | 1-12% |
| Adults (18-64 years) | 20.2% | 7% | 27% | 1-12% |
Let’s not ignore that autistic folks might have a hard time waving that “I’m not okay” flag due to communication quirks. And oh, as if menopause wasn’t enough, middle-aged autistic women can face double trouble with mental health waves.
Impact of Co-occurring Schizophrenia
When schizophrenia crashes the autism party, it’s like turning the music up to a level nobody asked for. It adds layers of complexity and needs a load bunkers of support. Knowing how these conditions dance around each other is key to figuring out the right game plan.
Early-onset dementia’s like that nightmare bug before you’re 65, creeping in more often among autistic adults, especially those with intellectual disabilities. That’s a big red flag, shouting about the crazy ride that aging can be on mental health and brainy bits.
Growing older presents a slew of hurdles for autistic individuals; we’re talking higher encounters with depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. The dance of these conditions calls for a unique support mixtape to make sure life stays groovy as they age. Tuning in to these mental health vibes can smooth out the wrinkles of aging and make everything shine a little brighter for our autistic pals.
Does Autism Get Worse With Age?
Cognitive Changes and Challenges
As folks with autism get older, they might notice some changes in how they think and remember things. Memory issues, trouble getting stuff done (what’s called executive functioning), and generally taking longer to process info are some common bumps in the road.
Here are some things you might notice:
- Memory Blips: Forgetting recent happenings or tidbits of information.
- Executive Snags: Struggling to plan, organize, or finish tasks.
- Processing Lags: Taking a bit longer to respond or understand stuff.
It’s super important to give support to tackle these cognitive hiccups. Helping out might involve therapies for the mind, setting up routines, or using tools and gadgets that can lend a hand with remembering things and getting organized.
| Cognitive Area | Common Issues |
| Memory | Trouble remembering recent stuff |
| Executive Functioning | Struggles with planning, organising, and finishing tasks |
| Processing Speed | Taking more time to understand or respond |
Healthcare Access and Support
Getting the right healthcare is a big hurdle for older folks with autism. There’s ongoing work to improve services by teaching doctors more about autism, using telehealth, and shaping healthcare models that cater to the elderly autistic crowd.
Here’s what’s being done:
- Doctor Education: Getting healthcare providers up to speed on what older autistic people need.
- Telehealth Services: Making it easier to see a doctor, especially if you live out in the sticks.
- Specialized Care Setups: Healthcare frameworks are popping up to offer made-for-you care for older autistic folks.
Something worth noting: those with autism might not always be able to explain when something’s wrong, making it tricky to figure out other health problems. This means doctors need to be on their toes and really pay attention.
| Initiative | Description |
| Doctor Education | Teaching about the needs of older autistic folks |
| Telehealth Services | Easier access to docs, especially in rural locales |
| Specialized Care Setups | Tailored care models for aging autistic individuals |
Getting a handle on these changes and making healthcare more reachable means we can give better support to our aging autistic buddies. That way, they can enjoy a good quality of life with the care and adjustments they need.
Social Support and Quality of Life
Importance of Social Support
Social support? It’s more than just friendship hugs and shared memes—it’s like the invisible magic glue that holds together the quality of life for both older non-autistic folks and younger autistic adults. A study looped in 388 grown-ups, aged 40-83. Guess what it found? Social support was way up there on the importance scale for living a good life, even when you factor in things like your life’s backstage drama, or the shadows of depression and anxiety.
| Age Group | Participants | Social Support Impact on Life |
| 40-59 years | 194 | Sky-high |
| 60-69 years | 150 | Sky-high |
| 70-83 years | 44 | Sky-high |
This tells us that tweaking and beefing up those social support circles could seriously boost life quality for our older autistic pals.
Quality of Life in Older Autistic Adults
Here’s the real gem: this study is the first on the block to peek into how social support vibes with the quality of life for middle-aged and older autistic adults. Check out these golden nuggets of wisdom:
- Emotional Well-being: If you’re older and autistic, keeping upbeat and chipper feels harder compared to others. Thus, a solid support crew is like a lifeline.
- Physical Health: There seems to be a sweet link between cozy social connections and feeling fit as a fiddle, even if autism is part of your mix.
- Mental Health: A strong social cushion can help ease the burden of depression and anxiety, which older autistic adults tend to deal with.
Looking ahead, researchers should dig deeper to see if the way social circles change as people age in the non-autistic world happens for old autistic individuals too. Figuring out how these circles shift with age might just be the trick to boost life quality across the board.
Conclusion
As individuals with autism grow older, their needs and challenges evolve, requiring continued support tailored to each stage of life. A leading autism therapy provider can offer personalized strategies to enhance independence, social skills, and overall well-being. Explore trusted therapy options today to ensure lifelong growth and success.
Blue Bell ABA is a trusted leader in Georgia, North Carolina, and Ohio, providing lifelong support through personalized ABA therapy. Their expert team adapts therapy strategies to meet the evolving needs of individuals with autism, promoting growth, independence, and confidence at every stage of life. Ready to ensure lasting progress? Contact Blue Bell ABA today and discover how their tailored approach can make a difference at any age.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does autism affect individuals as they age?
Autism can impact individuals differently at each life stage. Some may develop better coping strategies, while others may experience new challenges related to independence, employment, and social interactions.
Do autism symptoms change over time?
While core characteristics of autism remain, symptoms may shift. Some individuals improve in communication and social skills, while others may struggle with anxiety, sensory sensitivities, or adapting to new routines.
What are common challenges autistic adults face as they grow older?
Autistic adults may experience difficulties with employment, independent living, mental health, aging-related sensory changes, and maintaining social connections.
Sources:
- https://dietitianwithadifference.co.uk/autism-picky-eating-and-safe-foods/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11203987/
- https://www.autismspeaks.org/medical-conditions-associated-autism
- https://autism.org/aging-cognition-wellbeing/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7195819/
- https://autism.org/medical-care-for-seniors-autism/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35362329/