Mokhwelepa Leshata Winter, Sumbane Gsakani Olivia, Ngwenya Mxolisi Welcome
School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Science, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X 1106, Sovenga, Polokwane, 0727, South Africa.
BMC Psychiatry. 2025 Aug 6;25(1):769. doi: 10.1186/s12888-025-07212-5.
There is a noticeable knowledge vacuum on the ways in which autism interacts with the difficulties associated with aging, even though in recent decades there has been a growing recognition of the different needs and experiences of those on the autistic spectrum. Importantly, experiences across earlier life stages such as youth and young adulthood also influence later outcomes and warrant consideration within this dynamic trajectory, meaning the ongoing and evolving developmental path individuals follow throughout life.
This study aimed to review the existing literature on the unique needs, challenges, and experiences of autistic adults as they progress into later stages of life.
The scoping review was carried out by following a structure that included defining the research topic, finding pertinent studies, choosing studies, charting data, and ultimately compiling, summarizing, and synthesizing the findings, the scoping review was carried out. PubMed, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect are the databases that were used to perform an exhaustive search of the literature from 2010 to 2023. Studies were screened for inclusion based on predefined criteria.
Despite an initially large dataset, only a limited number of studies directly addressed the intersection of autism and aging in sufficient depth. This review yielded only two themes: (1) Challenges experienced by adults with autism when aging; (2) interventions and support strategies.
The important need for greater comprehension of the relationship between autism and aging was highlighted by this study. It exposed a wide range of difficulties that autistic adults encounter as they age, such as inequalities in healthcare and problems integrating into society. This review will contribute to a deeper understanding by highlighting the evolving challenges, unmet needs, and support mechanisms required by autistic adults as they age, offering insights for research, policy, and practice.
尽管近几十年来，人们越来越认识到自闭症谱系人群的不同需求和经历，但在自闭症与衰老相关困难的相互作用方式上，仍存在明显的知识空白。重要的是，青年和年轻成年等早期生命阶段的经历也会影响后期结果，并且在这个动态轨迹（即个体一生所遵循的持续且不断演变的发展路径）中值得考虑。
本研究旨在回顾现有关于自闭症成年人步入生命后期阶段时的独特需求、挑战和经历的文献。
采用一种包括定义研究主题、查找相关研究、选择研究、绘制数据图表，最终汇编、总结和综合研究结果的结构进行范围综述。使用PubMed、PsycINFO、谷歌学术和科学Direct数据库对2010年至2023年的文献进行详尽搜索。根据预定义标准筛选纳入研究。
尽管最初数据集庞大，但只有少数研究直接深入探讨了自闭症与衰老的交叉点。本综述仅得出两个主题：（1）自闭症成年人衰老时所经历的挑战；（2）干预措施和支持策略。
本研究强调了更深入理解自闭症与衰老之间关系的迫切需求。它揭示了自闭症成年人随着年龄增长所面临的广泛困难，如医疗保健方面的不平等以及融入社会的问题。本综述将通过突出自闭症成年人随着年龄增长所面临的不断演变的挑战、未满足需求和所需支持机制，促进更深入的理解，为研究、政策和实践提供见解。
