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ERIC Number: EJ1465417
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Mar
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: EISSN-1461-7005
Available Date: 0000-00-00
'It's Designed for Someone Who Is Not Me': A Reflexive Thematic Analysis of the Unmet Healthcare Support Needs in UK Autistic Adults Aged 65 Years and Over
Hassan Mansour1; Amy Gillions1; Jude Brown2; Anoushka Pattenden2; Susan Hartley2; Sarifa Patel2; Stephanie James2; Martin Styles2; Will Mandy1; Joshua Stott1; Elizabeth O'Nions1,3
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v29 n3 p754-765 2025
Autistic people are more likely to experience physical and mental health difficulties across the lifespan, leading to an increased risk of premature mortality likely due to health disparities. At present, little is known about the healthcare experiences of autistic older adults. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 autistic adults aged 65 years or over living in the United Kingdom. Reflexive thematic analysis produced these themes: (1) A lifetime of being misunderstood; (2) Autistic people falling between the gaps; (3) Processing autism diagnosis in later life; (4) Concerns about service pressures and scarce resources; (5) Lack of continuity of care, empathy and understanding; (6) Anxiety, alexithymia and sensory overload; and (7) Reduced social support and concerns for the future. Some of the challenges autistic older adults faced were like those experienced by younger or middle-aged autistic adults. However, they also reported additional difficulties related to ageing and lifelong experiences of social exclusion. These difficulties were made worse by increased service pressures. A comprehensive approach is needed, including enhanced staff training, personalised care, targeted support and policy changes. Services should also consult with autistic older adults so they can advocate for their care, shape policy and co-design services.
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1University College London, UK; 2National Autistic Society, UK; 3Bradford Institute for Health Research, UK