Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40770710›Full record

ArticleBMC psychiatry2025

The dynamic trajectory of autistic life and its changing challenges: a scoping review.

Leshata Winter Mokhwelepa, Gsakani Olivia Sumbane, Mxolisi Welcome Ngwenya

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in BMC psychiatry, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Leshata Winter MokhwelepaSchool of Medicine, Faculty of Health Science, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X 1106, Sovenga, Polokwane, 0727, South Africa. 201826851@keyaka.ul.ac.za.
Gsakani Olivia SumbaneSchool of Medicine, Faculty of Health Science, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X 1106, Sovenga, Polokwane, 0727, South Africa.
Mxolisi Welcome NgwenyaSchool of Medicine, Faculty of Health Science, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X 1106, Sovenga, Polokwane, 0727, South Africa.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThere is a noticeable knowledge vacuum on the ways in which autism interacts with the difficulties associated with aging, even though in recent decades there has been a growing recognition of the different needs and experiences of those on the autistic spectrum. Importantly, experiences across earlier life stages such as youth and young adulthood also influence later outcomes and warrant consideration within this dynamic trajectory, meaning the ongoing and evolving developmental path individuals follow throughout life.

objectivesThis study aimed to review the existing literature on the unique needs, challenges, and experiences of autistic adults as they progress into later stages of life. METHODOLOGY: The scoping review was carried out by following a structure that included defining the research topic, finding pertinent studies, choosing studies, charting data, and ultimately compiling, summarizing, and synthesizing the findings, the scoping review was carried out. PubMed, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect are the databases that were used to perform an exhaustive search of the literature from 2010 to 2023. Studies were screened for inclusion based on predefined criteria.

resultsDespite an initially large dataset, only a limited number of studies directly addressed the intersection of autism and aging in sufficient depth. This review yielded only two themes: (1) Challenges experienced by adults with autism when aging; (2) interventions and support strategies.

conclusionThe important need for greater comprehension of the relationship between autism and aging was highlighted by this study. It exposed a wide range of difficulties that autistic adults encounter as they age, such as inequalities in healthcare and problems integrating into society. This review will contribute to a deeper understanding by highlighting the evolving challenges, unmet needs, and support mechanisms required by autistic adults as they age, offering insights for research, policy, and practice.

Indexed as

AgingAutism Spectrum DisorderAutistic DisorderAdultHumansAdulthood; youthASDLater-life; autistic; aspergerMidlifeNeeds; challengesOlder age

Identifiers

PMID40770710
PMCPMC12330170

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.