I searched for "autism and aging" in the NAS website and got no results.  A call to share and discuss resources on this topic.

I relate to this totally. Thank you for putting into words what I've been unable to do. 

My challenge is getting my wife to fully appreciate this after 30 years together. She knows it's mostly not worth asking me if I want to go to some event with her, but I think my reluctance still annoys her. If only I had the capability to interpret her emotions!

Hi Phased

Great site

Thank you

Another resource to add https://www.autismcentral.org.uk/guidance/ageing-and-autism 

It is suggested that routines are generally good for autistic people TheCatWoman - praps tha's why we can be said to be resistant to change.  Myself i'm alright with change if i have time to consider and adjust to it - and ideally i do it on my own terms...

hehe meanwhile "au contraire" TheCatWoman  I would observe that you are one of the biggest contributors and participants to this social network :-) 

I agree that this can be engaged with more on our own terms tho' and that it can be hard work in some sorts of company.

yes "pass time with good company" :-) that's meant to be henry VIII isn't it - hehe bit late for your era of interest isn't it :-)

I have my daily routines, and always have.

One of the things I've often seen is about having good social networks and not being isolated, I dont' want to be around people most of the time, I don't do groups and enjoy my own company. Why would being around loads of others be good for me, I've felt lonelier in crowds and groups than I have on my own. Of course there are times I'd like to be in good company, but the operative word is "good" and to me most people are terrible company

Yes, it's interesting that although "every autistic person is different" that there is a sense of commonality in experience ArchaeC 

I suspect that the course would be good to go to for a variety of reasons too.  And yes they could cost a fortune.

The key strategies for a healthier later life the course suggest include rebuilding structured routines, leveraging special interests, and ensuring environmental modifications for comfort.

perhaps autistic people in later life don't necessarily need courses to think about and organise these things ourselves?

My pleasure Lonehare12 :-)

The first link could have been sourced from my biography.

I would love to do some of those courses but they would be addictive. I’d have to complete them all and then I’d regret spending a fortune.

Thank you Phased 

Thanks zorro 

yep I empathise.

I have concluded to that the appearance of my traits is become more obvious to me = or more obviously I have a problem.

I my case I then realise I have't got the beans to go about "solving them" in the old way - that was the way to big emotional distress and burnout.

So I am doing my best to get more organised as I get older and be more open to learning new ways to do things.

Yep me too very much visual and an eye for detail - also for me very much a "bottom up" processor" so I get loads and loads of data all the while and find it difficult to finesse it to a simple state.  Recently I have been finding strategies for how to do this with less effort.

Ones like how to go from being a servant of others to coaching them if there's an issue - that I almost inevitably seem to be drawn to wanting to help with!

Also training for difficult conversations (mostly also with myself)...

From a physical perspective of aging the importance of exercise is crucial I believe too as our body enables interaction with the world and our mind and emotions.

So far this seems to be an OK strategy for me.

What say you?

Agreed, this is an excellent thread idea, as I'm convinced my traits are becoming more problematic with age - mainly I abhor ageing and know that it is only going to get worse. Unfortunately, I'm a visual person with an eye for detail - if anyone IDs with this issue please respond. 

I just read the first article link to SPARK, it was interesting and confirmed a lot of what I was thinking. With the increased risks of things like high BP and cholesterol made me wonder about diet and the effects it has on the body and brain? I've known autistic people who are very restricted in what they eat, I get why that is, sensory issues etc, but, I've also known some people who've worked in care settings with young people with various problems such as ASC and Downs, they've questioned why the staff at these homes never encourage healthy eating or even healthier, over a continuous diet of ready meals, pizzas and breakfast cereal. We are starting to realise just how bad UPF's are and we've known for a long time that poor diet equals poorer health. 

Another thing I've looked at are meal delivery services that are pushed at older people now meals on wheels services have pretty much disapeared, there is only one vegetarian option and that includes eggs. They don't seem to cater for allergies to things such as wheat and dairy which are really common, (this is from looking at their websites), let alone an individuals needs, where would one go if one needed such a service? I've met health professionals who seem to think that the way to deal with allergies is more medication, immodium, antacids, senokot, etc, surely instead of more pills on top of what someone might already be taking isn't the way to go. Some medications such as antacids can't be taken with other common medications.

Could a part of the reason why there's a higher mortality rate be because of lack of support? Lack of anyone who knows how to communicate with people who are not very good at expressing themselves, if nobody takes the time to find out why we're we feel troubled then theres going to be even less help.

Another thing that struck me again is how much work on autism is American, although how much longer that will last under Trump is another matter and one for another thread. Whilst research done in America is useful and good, it's conclusions and suggestions are less good for those outside of America, where there will be differnt systems and ways of caring for people, or not. Personally, one of the things that puts me off so much stuff about autism is that its American and aimed at Americans, isn't right for those of us in the UK, even the language used can be unfamiliar and take time to work out what on earth they're on about.

Thanks ArchaeC :-)

Thank you Phased 

I’ll read these and maybe have something to share in the coming days.

Hehe I've found a reason why no results... It's because I can't spell ageing!!!!!  Ah well- sorry.  Shall we let the thread run anyway?

Jolly good AlanRalph :-)  If you have any particular things to share about what they contain I and others would be glad to learn from them.  All the best!

Thanks for those links, I've bookmarked them for further reading.

Somewhere to start with maybe.

Autism in Middle and Old Age: What Do We Know, What Do We Need to Know? - SPARK for Autism

Here are 3 blog posts I have just found (linked to pay for courses and naturally no advocacy of same intended) however there are practical suggestions here for free for a more positive experience of being both old and autistic as well as simply describing the problems! 

Ageing and Autism – Attwood & Garnett Events

Autistic and Ageing – Part 1: When later-life changes have different o – Attwood & Garnett Events

Autistic and Ageing, Part 2: Five practical foundations for ageing wel – Attwood & Garnett Events