How do autistic adults experience ageing? A qualitative interview study.
Ageing autistic adults say services must be autism-informed, trauma-aware, and co-designed with them—start by adding peer-navigation options.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Aitken et al. (2026) talked with 17 autistic adults aged 46 to 72. They asked open questions about getting older, fears, and what helps.
The team recorded the talks and looked for common themes. They wanted to hear, in their own words, what ageing feels like for autistic people.
What they found
Five clear themes came out. People spoke about worry, but also about clever ways they adapt each day.
They said services must be autism-informed, trauma-aware, and built with them, not for them. Peer support was named again and again.
How this fits with other research
Storch et al. (2012) warned that almost no research exists on autistic adults over 50. The new study answers that call by giving rich detail from the group itself.
Hwang et al. (2020) found only 1 in 30 autistic adults meet standard "ageing well" scores. Rebecca’s team shows why: current checklists miss autism-shaped strengths and fears.
Ommensen et al. (2026) argue that wellbeing can rise in later life. The interviews back this up—participants report growth, but only when supports fit their needs.
Zheng et al. (2022) showed older autistic adults want tech that includes them. Rebecca adds that the same co-design rule must apply to all services, not just gadgets.
Why it matters
If you write plans for autistic teens or adults, picture them at 60. Add peer navigators, sensory-friendly waiting rooms, and clear step-by-step letters. Ask clients what ageing worries them now, and note those fears in the BSP so future teams see them. Starting these talks early turns the later-life cliff into a gentler slope.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
The aim of this study was to understand middle-aged and older autistic adults' views and experiences of ageing and their associated health and social care needs. Seventeen autistic adults (10 women and seven men) aged 46-72 years were recruited via convenience and snowball sampling strategies and interviewed via Zoom or telephone call about what it means to age well; their age-related needs; and how services could better support them to age well. Semi-structured interview transcripts were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Five themes were identified. These reflected: (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. The findings highlight a need for increasing societal knowledge about ageing with autism, and for improved services to support this. We provide a set of recommendations for professionals working with autistic adults. These include involving autistic people in the design of health and social care services; ensuring that services are trauma-informed and strength-focused; and providing peer support to help autistic people navigate and access services.Lay abstractWhat was the purpose of this study?The purpose of this study was to understand middle-aged and older autistic adults' views and experiences of ageing well, their age-related needs, and how services could better support them to age well.Why is this an important issue?Very little research explains how autistic people experience ageing. It is important to know more about this to ensure that health and social services know how to best support ageing autistic people to live happier and healthier lives.What did the researchers do?We interviewed 17 middle-to-older autistic adults (10 females, 46-72 years) via Zoom or telephone. We typed up participant's responses and looked for common themes within the data.What were the results of the study?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 also felt their autistic characteristics and experiences were changing with age.This study also revealed that current ageing support is generally felt to be incompatible with autistic adults' characteristics. This incompatibility was linked to professionals not understanding autistic characteristics, and services being difficult to access. A hub-based model was proposed involving flexible and responsive peer and specialist support options.How will these findings help autistic adults now or in the future?This study raises the profile of the needs of ageing autistic adults. We have created a set of recommendations that will contribute to professionals' understanding of autistic adults' views on ageing well, their age-related support needs, and how to adapt service provision accordingly.
Autism : the international journal of research and practice, 2026 · doi:10.1177/13623613261422937