Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42147660›Full record

ReviewCureus2026

Underrecognition of Autism and Implications for Adult Psychiatric Practice: A Narrative Review.

Alfredo de Jesús Garza Guerra, Elisa Del Rocio Mata Cortes, Gabriela Hilian Adame Rocha, Ana Cecilia Montemayor Mancias, Stefan Mauricio Fernández Zambrano

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Cureus, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing 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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
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

5 authors.

Alfredo de Jesús Garza GuerraPsychiatry, Hospital Universitario Dr. José Eleuterio Gonzalez, Monterrey, MEX.
Elisa Del Rocio Mata CortesPsychiatry, Jalisco Institute of Mental Health and Addictions, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, MEX.
Gabriela Hilian Adame RochaPsychiatry, Hospital Universitario Dr. José Eleuterio Gonzalez, Monterrey, MEX.
Ana Cecilia Montemayor ManciasPsychiatry, Jalisco Institute of Mental Health and Addictions, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, MEX.
Stefan Mauricio Fernández ZambranoPsychiatry, Hospital Universitario Dr. José Eleuterio Gonzalez, Monterrey, MEX.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Autism in adulthood remains underrecognized across psychiatric settings despite epidemiological evidence supporting its persistence across the lifespan. Recognition is often hindered by heterogeneous presentation, misattribution of autistic traits to co-occurring psychiatric conditions, camouflaging processes, and limited integration of developmental history in adult assessments. This narrative review aims to synthesize current evidence on adult presentation and co-occurring conditions, examine barriers to identification, and propose a developmental, dimensional, and contextual framework for psychiatric assessment and formulation. A narrative review guided by the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles was conducted. Peer-reviewed literature published between January 2010 and December 2025 was identified through structured searches of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, with additional sources identified through reference list screening. Studies were selected based on conceptual relevance and applicability to adult psychiatric contexts. The literature indicates that autism in adulthood is characterized by marked heterogeneity, with presentations often shaped by internalized features, compensatory processes, and co-occurring psychiatric conditions. Across studies, these factors contribute to diagnostic overshadowing, delayed identification, and fragmented care trajectories. Developmental, neurobiological, and service-level evidence further highlights the influence of contextual and structural factors on recognition within adult psychiatric settings. Autism in adulthood is best conceptualized within a developmental, dimensional, and contextual framework. Improving identification in psychiatric practice requires systematic attention to developmental history, internal experience, compensatory processes, co-occurring conditions, and structural barriers. Integrating these elements may enhance clinical formulation, reduce diagnostic fragmentation, and improve care for autistic adults within psychiatric services.

Indexed as

adaptationadultautism spectrum disordercomorbiditydiagnosisdifferentialmental healthneurodevelopmental disorderspsychiatrypsychological

Identifiers

PMID42147660
PMCPMC13179729

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

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.