Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42105016›Full record

ArticleJournal of autism and developmental disorders2026

Examining the Lived Experiences of Older Autistic Adults: A Synthesis Review of Qualitative Literature.

David B Nicholas, Hilary Nelson, Fakhri Shafai, Stephen M Edelson, Vanessa Bal, Wenn Lawson, Margaret Bauman, Robert Hendren, Julian N Trollor

Abstract read
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Article in Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 2026. 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

9 authors.

David B NicholasFaculty of Social Work, Central and Northern Alberta Region, University of Calgary, Edmonton, Canada. nicholas@ucalgary.ca.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4480-322X
Hilary NelsonFaculty of Social Work, Central and Northern Alberta Region, University of Calgary, Edmonton, Canada.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0009-6091-2718
Fakhri ShafaiAIDE Canada, Richmond, Canada.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0580-2411
Stephen M EdelsonAutism Research Institute, San Diego, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9856-5936
Vanessa BalGraduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0750-823X
Wenn LawsonCurtin Autism Research Group, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5079-852X
Margaret BaumanSchool of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3229-0458
Robert HendrenDepartment of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8470-4862
Julian N TrollorNational Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7685-2977

Funding

CIHR PCS-189429Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council 611-2022-0426
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThis scoping review includes the qualitative literature published from 2013 to 2024 exploring health, healthcare and quality of life among older Autistic adults. Aims were to identify evidence of later life experiences and outcomes for this population.

methodsThe review was based on Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoping review methodology, with keywords searched within five relevant databases. Studies comprised peer reviewed articles with qualitative or mixed method designs addressing the quality of life, health or healthcare of Autistic adults in mid and later years (50 years and older). Participants in the reviewed studies included Autistic individuals, including those with or without intellectual disability, and/or individuals who support this population (e.g., personal supporters, caregivers, healthcare or service providers).

resultsA total of 12 papers were found that had qualitative data and met inclusion criteria. These studies cumulatively identified themes related to (i) aging with autism, with subthemes of sense of self and identity, connection, deriving enjoyment or meaning, and navigating health and healthcare; and (ii) service gaps, with subthemes of service issues, factors that mediate the effectiveness of supports, and professional knowledge gaps.

conclusionStudy authors advocate for increased research on aging and autism, improved services, and enhanced training and capacity-building for professionals in this field.

Indexed as

AgingAutismHealthOlder adultsQuality of lifeSeniors

Identifiers

PMID42105016

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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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.