Health, Rights, and Inclusion: Addressing the Needs of Aging Autistic Individuals (COSP19 Side Event)

As life expectancy increases worldwide, there is growing recognition that aging is not a uniform experience. For Autistic individuals, aging presents distinct challenges that remain largely unaddressed within health and social care systems. While significant progress has been made in advancing the rights of persons with disabilities, Autistic adults in mid and later life continue to face barriers to equitable healthcare, mental health support, and community inclusion.

Autistic individuals are more likely to experience co-occurring medical and mental health conditions, along with differences in communication and sensory processing that can complicate care and support. Many face difficulty navigating complex systems that are not designed to be neuro-affirming. These challenges are compounded by limited provider training, fragmented services, and environments that do not accommodate diverse needs. As a result, Autistic adults often experience delays in diagnosis, unmet health needs, and reduced quality of life over time.

This side event will draw on insights from a recent think tank held at the United Nations, to highlight key challenges related to healthcare access, social inclusion, and decision making, and to explore how more inclusive policies and systems can support Autistic individuals across the lifespan.

Key matters explored will include:

• Barriers to equitable and accessible healthcare for aging Autistic individuals

• The impact of co-occurring physical and mental health conditions in later life

• Social isolation, reduced community participation, and the need for inclusive environments

• Challenges related to legal autonomy and decision making, including supported decision-making models

• Gaps in provider training, care and support coordination, and service delivery

• The importance of incorporating lived experience into research, policy, and service design

These issues highlight significant gaps in healthcare access, service delivery, and social inclusion for aging Autistic individuals, with important implications for health outcomes, autonomy, and quality of life. Addressing them will require more inclusive systems, better trained providers, and policies that incorporate lived experience to support full participation in society.