A recent study revealed that most people with autism in the United Kingdom who exceeded the age of forty live without obtaining an official diagnosis of their condition, which often leaves them without appropriate support and increases their exposure to health and social problems.
The study was conducted by researchers from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neurology at the King’s College College London in the United Kingdom, and its results were published in the annual a review journal of Development Psychology on August 29, and the Independent newspaper wrote.
The researchers re -analyzed research on health care data in the United Kingdom from 2018, and they estimated that an adult with autism between the ages of 40 and 59 years has not received 91.45% of men and 79.48% of women officially diagnosed.
The results also showed that the percentage of non -diagrams increases more in the ages, reaching 96.29% in men and 97.19% in women over the age of sixty.
On the other hand, the percentage between the ages of 20 and 39 was estimated at 52.54%, and decreased to 23.34% of those under 19 years.
Experts note that these high percentages make many live a life full of health and social challenges without appropriate understanding or support.
“The medical assessment may be the first step to understand their needs, and the diagnosis can radically change the life of some, and may even be a rescue of life in some cases,” said Tim Nichols, Assistant Director of Policy, Research and Strategies at the National Autism Society in the United Kingdom.
Signs of autism in adults
Understanding how autism can appear in advanced stages of life, Dr. Lisa Williams, the psychological specialist and the UK Autism Service Clinics Foundation, participated in the UK’s hidden signs of autism that may pass without observation among adults over forty:
1- Relying on the routine
Many older adults with non -diagnosed autism tend to stick to a daily protein that gives them a feeling of comfort and control.
This increases clearly with age, and any sudden changes in the routine turns into a source of tension and anxiety.
This shows, for example, in excessive pre -planning for dates, strict adherence to daily habits, or a feeling of confusion when unexpected changes occur in the plans.
2- Passion and special interests
It is common for people with autism to have a deep passion for certain topics or hobbies, and this is clearly evident in the elderly, but if this interest controls most of his time and conversations frequently, it may be a sign of autism.
3- Excessive sensitivity to sensory stimuli
Excessive sensitivity in adults with autism may continue even in advanced stages of life, including light, sounds, odors and texture of fabrics.
This can appear from a noticeable feeling of discomfort in crowded or loud places, or when touching certain materials, which reflects differences in the way the brain processes sensory effects, which is a distinctive feature of autism.
4 - Difficulty in dealing with change
Change may be a major challenge in the elderly people with unjustified autism. Tasks such as moving to a new house, starting a new job, or even using modern technology can cause anxiety as a result of their lack of habit of the new situation and routine instability, and the repetition of these difficulties can be a distinctive sign of autism.
5- Difficulty understanding social behaviors
The elderly people with autism may find it difficult to understand informal social behaviors, such as visual communication, side conversations, respect for the personal distance, body language, or even light joke, people with autism often think differently from others, and may explain things literally or have difficulty picking up social signals. They may feel inconsistent with social situations, and they need longer to deal with them, even after years of experience.
6- Difficulties in integration into work
Despite the ingenuity of those with autism in specific tasks, they may have difficulty adapting to repeated changes, work policy or exhausting collective meetings.
The presence of two supporters who provide facilities, such as clear instructions and flexibility in tasks, can help, while the absence of this may lead to unnecessary pressure, conflicts, or even unfair sanctions.
It is worth noting that the signs mentioned by experts are not a diagnostic means in itself, but rather indications that may appear in some people with autism, and may also be similar to other personal cases or features such as anxiety, depression, sensory sensitivity, or others. Also, the exact diagnosis of autism is only done with a comprehensive evaluation by qualified specialists, given that autism is a wide range of manifestations, its manifestations vary greatly between individuals.