Strategies for Research, Practice, and Policy for Autism in Later Life: A Report from a Think Tank on Aging and Autism.
Stephen M Edelson, David B Nicholas, Kevin P Stoddart and 6 others
PMID 32361792WHAT IT FOUND
A think tank of 27 people, including autistic adults, identified gaps in care for aging autistic individuals.
They recommended adapting existing community programs and training long-term care staff, rather than creating new silos, to address sensory and social needs.
Key findings
01Participants recommended examining and adapting existing community programs to meet the needs of autistic adults, rather than starting new programs specifically for older adults.
02The group identified a need for specialized training for staff in residential care facilities, as current caregivers are often ill-prepared for the needs of autistic individuals.
03There are no diagnostic measures currently available that are directed toward autistic seniors, and few validated assessments exist for adults in general.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
This is a consensus statement from a small group of 27 participants, not a systematic review or empirical study, so the findings reflect the views of this specific group rather than a representative sample of the population. The meeting acknowledged that while autistic individuals were present, there was insufficient representation from those with severe communication challenges or significant medical needs, which may have skewed the priorities toward those who could advocate for themselves. The report does not provide data on the effectiveness of the recommended strategies, only that they were identified as priorities by the think tank.
Declared interests
The meeting was sponsored by Autism Canada, the Pacific Autism Family Network, and the Autism Research Institute. Funding was also provided by the Nancy Lurie Marks Family Foundation.
The easy way to misread this
Do not treat these recommendations as evidence-based clinical guidelines. The paper is a consensus report from a small think tank, not a systematic review of effective interventions, so the proposed strategies have not been tested for efficacy.