Jul 2026· Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy· 0 citations
Medicine
TL;DR
There is an urgent need for prospective longitudinal studies to adequately map the aging trajectories of this population of older adults with ASD, which constitute a vulnerable population.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong condition; however, literature regarding its manifestation in old age remains scarce.
Objective
To synthesize descriptive studies on the clinical characteristics of ASD in the elderly, aiming to improve diagnosis and quality of life.
METHODOLOGY
This is a scoping review based on the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines and reported according to PRISMA-ScR. Searches were conducted in MEDLINE/PUBMED and SCIELO databases, covering the period from 2011 to 2026, focusing on descriptive studies with participants aged over 50 years. Ultimately, 18 articles were selected and analyzed.
Results
The evolution of autism symptoms proved to be complex and non-linear; while some behaviors and psychiatric symptoms tend to decline with age, social difficulties may persist or worsen. From a cognitive perspective, data suggest an aging pattern parallel to neurotypicals, although there are reports of specific deficits in working memory and attention. An alarming burden of psychiatric comorbidities was identified, highlighting depression and high rates of suicidality, as well as significant clinical comorbidities.
Conclusion
Older adults with ASD constitute a vulnerable population. There is an urgent need for prospective longitudinal studies to adequately map the aging trajectories of this population.
A narrative review of papers published between 1 January 2015 and 16 February 2026 that were pertinent to comorbidity and autism finds how the variable risk of comorbidity mimics the heterogeneity present in autism, thus inviting further investigations.
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A critical narrative review of contemporary literature examining the interface between SM and ASD in girls, with emphasis on neurobiological mechanisms, dimensional psychopathology, and diagnostic and therapeutic implications reveals converging evidence of shared neurobiological substrates including amygdala hyperreactivity and altered connectivity within social brain networks.
Natasha M. Ganem· Journal of Neurology & S...· 0 citations
Although the observed 4:1 ratio aligns with global trends, the findings suggest under-identification of females, and gender-sensitive diagnostic tools are needed to improve detection and understanding of ASD in females.
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AIM
To map diagnostic procedures and standardized instruments reportedly used to identify autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in people with cerebral palsy or other early-onset motor conditions (EOMC) including Rett syndrome and muscular dystrophy.
METHOD
This review followed the scoping review methodology of the JBI and is reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). The Web of Science, PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL Complete, and ERIC databases were searched in December 2022 and updated in February 2025. Studies specifying ASD diagnostic criteria and/or instruments used to assess ASD in people with EOMC were eligible. Titles, abstracts, and full texts were screened and data extracted by two reviewers per publication.
RESULTS
Eighty-eight selected studies included 97 544 people with EOMC. Assessment currently seems feasible only in a subset of people with motor issues. Participants presenting severe motor impairments were underrepresented. Many authors reported challenges when performing ASD assessments. Some adaptations were reported for screening-questionnaires, but their validities were untested. A few standardized instruments showed promising psychometric properties in small samples with EOMC, but their diagnostic validity is not established.
INTERPRETATION
There is a critical need for consensus guidelines on ASD assessment practices for people with cerebral palsy and other EOMC, as well as for validated screening and diagnostic tools.
O. Laporta-Hoyos, Marina Fernández-Andújar, Lee B. Reid et al.· Developmental Medicine & Chi...· 0 citations