How do autistic adults experience ageing? A qualitative interview study.

Five themes were identified from autistic adults' experiences of ageing through inductive thematic analysis.

• The five themes were: (1) possibilities and fears around ageing; (2) adaptive strategies when facing age-related changes; (3) understanding and acceptance of autism for a more positive experience of ageing; (4) social relationships as important for supporting ageing; and (5) formal support for ageing needing to be autism-informed.
• Data were collected via semi-structured interviews conducted over Zoom or telephone.
• Analysis method was inductive thematic analysis applied to interview transcripts.

Participants felt that links between autism and ageing were poorly understood, and that autistic adults may have a higher risk of certain age-related conditions such as dementia.

• Participants reported concerns about age-related conditions, specifically mentioning dementia as a potential elevated risk.
• Participants also felt their autistic characteristics and experiences were changing with age.
• This reflects the theme of 'possibilities and fears around ageing.'

Current ageing support was generally felt to be incompatible with autistic adults' characteristics.

• Incompatibility was linked to professionals not understanding autistic characteristics.
• Services were described as being difficult to access.
• Participants proposed a hub-based model involving flexible and responsive peer and specialist support options.

Understanding and acceptance of autism was identified as contributing to a more positive experience of ageing.

• This emerged as a distinct theme (theme 3) from the thematic analysis.
• Social relationships were also identified as important for supporting ageing (theme 4).
• Adaptive strategies when facing age-related changes formed a separate theme (theme 2).

The study sample consisted of 17 autistic adults aged 46 to 72 years recruited via convenience and snowball sampling.

• The sample included 10 women and 7 men.
• Participants were recruited via convenience and snowball sampling strategies.
• Interviews were conducted via Zoom or telephone call.
• The study focused on middle-aged and older autistic adults.

The study produced a set of recommendations for professionals working with autistic adults regarding service design and delivery.

• Recommendations include involving autistic people in the design of health and social care services.
• Services should be trauma-informed and strength-focused.
• Peer support should be provided to help autistic people navigate and access services.