The self-declared prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) among individuals aged 60 or over is 0.86%, which corresponds to approximately 306,836 people. The rate is slightly higher among men (0.94%) compared to women (0.81%).
The analysis carried out by the Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences (PPGCS) of the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR), based on the 2022 Demographic Census.
According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), around 70 million people worldwide live with some degree of ASD, a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent difficulties in communication and social interaction.
Although ASD is typically diagnosed and presents its signs during childhood, it is a condition that persists throughout life. In older adults, recognition is still limited, both in terms of diagnosis and access to appropriate therapies.
“From the point of view of public health policies, these data reinforce the importance of developing strategies for identifying and supporting older adults with ASD. The prevalence has grown in recent years, however national and international scientific literature is still scarce in relation to what is known about ASD in the context of aging”, said the researcher from the Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences at PUCPR, Uiara Raiana Vargas de Castro Oliveira Ribeiro.
According to the researcher, people aging on the spectrum tend to have a reduction in life expectancy and a high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities, such as anxiety and depression, in addition to a greater risk of cognitive decline and clinical conditions, including higher rates of cardiovascular diseases and metabolic dysfunctions.
“Difficulties in communication, sensory overload and rigid behavior can make access to healthcare even more difficult for this population. Therefore, knowledge about the prevalence of ASD in elderly people in Brazil is the first step towards understanding their needs and thus supporting public policies aimed at this population”, he said.
Late diagnosis
According to the researcher, identifying ASD in elderly people is difficult because some manifestations of the disorder such as social isolation, inflexibility, rigid behavior and restricted interests can be confused with characteristics of other disorders or symptoms of anxiety, depression or dementia.
Furthermore, the lack of professionals trained to identify and even changes to the criteria can make diagnosis difficult.
“The diagnosis is often received with relief, because the elderly person feels that it offers an explanation for interpersonal and sensory difficulties experienced throughout their life, promoting greater self-understanding and acceptance”, explained the specialist.
