Does Autism Get Worse With Age? Understanding Changes Across Lifespan

Many people with autism and their families wonder if autism gets worse with age. This is a common question, especially for parents of autistic children who are planning for the future or adults recently diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

This article looks at how autism might change over time and what factors can influence these changes, based on current research and expert insights.

Key Takeaways

• Autism Changes Throughout Life: Learn how autism symptoms may shift rather than necessarily worsen as people age, and why development isn’t linear for people on the spectrum.
• Factors Affecting Autism Progression: Discover the key influences that may cause autism worse symptoms with age, including life transitions, co-occurring conditions, and environmental factors.
• Support and Management Strategies: Find practical approaches to managing autism across the lifespan, from early intervention to ongoing support that helps autistic people thrive.

What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism spectrum disorder is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how a person perceives and interacts with the world around them. According to the National Autistic Society, it’s characterized by differences in social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviours. Autism is considered a lifelong diagnosis, meaning that once diagnosed, a person will have autism throughout their life.

However, this doesn’t mean that autism symptoms remain static. The way autism presents can change significantly over time, which leads to the question: does autism get worse with age?

Does Autism Get Worse With Age?

The simple answer is that autism itself doesn’t necessarily get worse with age. Rather, autism symptoms often change and evolve throughout a person’s life. Some aspects may improve while others may become more challenging depending on various factors.

For many people, it’s not that their autism get worse over time, but that different life stages bring different challenges. Let’s look at how autism typically changes across different life stages:

Childhood Development and Autism

In early childhood, autism symptoms are often first noticed when developmental milestones aren’t met at expected times. According to the NHS, signs of autism are typically present before age 3. This is why early diagnosis is so important.

During childhood:

• Some autistic children show significant improvement with early intervention
• Others, particularly those with co-occurring intellectual disability, may face more persistent challenges
• Social skills often develop, albeit sometimes more slowly than in neurotypical peers
• Communication skills can improve substantially with appropriate therapies like speech therapy

For severely autistic children, intensive support such as applied behaviour analysis may help develop crucial skills during these formative years. Research published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry indicates that early intervention can significantly improve developmental trajectories.

Adolescence and Autism Changes

The teenage years bring unique challenges for everyone, but they can be particularly difficult for autistic individuals:

• Social demands become more complex
• Academic expectations increase
• Hormonal changes can affect mood and behaviour
• Awareness of differences may increase, potentially leading to mental health challenges

During this period, some parents notice what appears to be autism getting worse, but it’s often the case that the environmental demands have increased rather than the autism itself becoming more severe.

Adulthood and Autism

Does adult autism get worse with age? For many adults, certain aspects of their autism may actually improve over time:

• Many develop better coping strategies
• Experience helps with managing stress effectively
• Self-awareness increases, helping with self-advocacy
• Social skills often continue to develop well into adulthood

However, other aspects might become more challenging:

• Independent living may present new difficulties
• Career pressures can be stressful
• Changes in routine can be more disruptive
• Co-occurring conditions like anxiety may increase

Aging and Autism

Research on older adults with autism is still limited, but available evidence suggests that does autism get worse with age in adults doesn’t have a simple yes or no answer:

• Some older adults show improvements in repetitive behaviours
• Sensory sensitivities may change but rarely disappear completely
• Social communication challenges often persist but strategies develop
• Daily living skills may plateau or slowly decline depending on support

Factors That May Affect How Autism Changes Over Time

Several key factors influence whether someone’s autism symptoms appear to get worse with age:

Co-occurring Conditions

Many autistic people have additional diagnoses that can affect how their autism presents. According to research from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), co-occurring conditions are common and require specific attention:

Condition	Potential Impact on Autism Symptoms
Anxiety disorders	Can exacerbate symptoms of autism, especially during stressful transitions
Depression	May reduce motivation to use learned social skills
ADHD	Can make sensory overload more likely and affect focus
Intellectual disability	May limit ability to develop compensatory strategies

The relationship between these conditions is complex. For example, many people ask if does autism and ADHD get worse with age. Research published in The Lancet Psychiatry suggests that it’s not that either condition inherently worsens, but that their combined effects create new challenges as life demands change.

Life Transitions

Major life changes can significantly impact how autism affects someone:

• Starting school or changing schools
• Beginning or ending relationships
• Starting new jobs
• Moving to new homes
• Loss of support systems

These transitions can temporarily make autism symptoms appear worse, even if the underlying autism hasn’t changed.

Access to Support

Perhaps the most crucial factor in determining whether does autism get better or worse with age is access to appropriate support:

• Consistent ongoing support helps prevent skill regression
• Support groups provide valuable social connection
• Support services teach crucial adaptive skills
• Family support improves overall outcomes

Occupational therapy, social skills training, and other interventions can help autistic people continue to develop skills throughout life.

Environmental Factors

The environment plays a huge role in how autism is experienced:

• Sensory-friendly environments reduce stress
• Predictable routines help with emotional regulation
• Understanding communities reduce social pressure
• Appropriate accommodations at work or school prevent burnout

When environments are adapted to meet autistic needs, symptoms that might otherwise worsen with age can remain stable or improve.

Does High-Functioning Autism Get Worse With Age?

People with what was formerly called high functioning autism (now generally considered part of the autism spectrum without this specific label) often develop excellent coping mechanisms over time. A study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders found that many autistic adults continue to develop compensatory strategies throughout adulthood. However, they may face unique challenges:

• Social demands become increasingly subtle and complex
• Mental health issues like anxiety may develop due to masking
• Burnout from the effort of appearing “neurotypical” can occur
• Life transitions may be particularly disruptive

For many adults with mild autism, their autism doesn’t necessarily get worse with age, but the cumulative stress of navigating a neurotypical world can lead to periods where they struggle more visibly with their symptoms. The Autism Research Centre at Cambridge University has conducted extensive research on this phenomenon of autistic masking and its effects.

Does Autism Behaviour Get Worse With Age?

Autism behaviour may change with age, but “worse” isn’t always the right description:

• Stimming (self-stimulatory behaviours) may become more controlled or more socially acceptable
• Meltdowns might decrease as emotional regulation improves
• Restricted interests often become assets in education or careers
• Difficulty adapting to change may improve with experience

However, some behaviours may become more challenging:

• Anxiety-related behaviours might increase with awareness of social differences
• Sensory sensitivities can become more difficult to manage in adult environments
• Repetitive behaviours may become more ingrained over time

Managing Autism Throughout Life

Regardless of whether does autism get worse with age, there are many strategies that help autistic people thrive throughout their lives:

Early Intervention

Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines:

• Early supports set the foundation for future development
• Speech therapy and occupational therapy teach fundamental skills
• Parent training helps create supportive home environments
• Applied behaviour analysis can help develop crucial skills when appropriately applied

Ongoing Support Strategies

Support shouldn’t end after childhood:

• Regular check-ins with mental health professionals
• Adjusting support as needs change
• Teaching flexible thinking and problem-solving
• Building independent living skills gradually

Practical Approaches for Different Ages

Different life stages require different approaches:

Age Group	Helpful Strategies
Children	Structured learning, play-based interventions, parent training
Teenagers	Social skills groups, transition planning, mental health support
Adults	Career counseling, relationship support, independent living skills
Older Adults	Health monitoring, maintaining social connections, adapting environments

Self-Advocacy and Understanding

Perhaps most importantly, helping autistic people understand their own autism empowers them to:

• Recognize when they need additional support
• Advocate for appropriate accommodations
• Take control of their own development
• Lead fulfilling lives on their own terms

Overall

Does autism get worse with age? The evidence suggests that autism itself doesn’t inherently worsen with age. Research from the Autism Research Centre indicates that the presentation of autism changes as people develop and face different life challenges. With appropriate support, many autistic people continue to learn, grow, and develop skills throughout their lives.

For some, certain aspects of autism may become less challenging over time, while others may face new difficulties at different life stages. According to a longitudinal study published in JAMA Psychiatry, the key factors that influence outcomes include access to appropriate support, co-occurring conditions, life transitions, and environmental factors.

What’s clear is that autistic people, like everyone else, continue to change and develop throughout their lives. With understanding, acceptance, and appropriate support, autistic people of all ages can thrive and lead fulfilling lives, as highlighted by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) research on neurodevelopmental conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can autism suddenly get worse?

Autism itself doesn’t typically suddenly worsen, but symptom severity may appear to increase during times of stress, major life transitions, or when co-occurring conditions like anxiety develop. What looks like autism worsening is often a temporary response to environmental factors.

Does mild autism worsen with age?

Mild autism doesn’t necessarily worsen with age. Many people with milder forms of autism develop excellent coping strategies over time. However, the cumulative stress of navigating a neurotypical world without adequate support can sometimes lead to burnout, making symptoms more apparent.

Are there treatments that can prevent autism from getting worse?

While autism is a lifelong condition, many interventions can help manage symptoms effectively and promote development. These include speech therapy, occupational therapy, social skills training, cognitive behavioural therapy, and various forms of educational and behavioural support.

How does puberty affect autism?

Puberty can be a challenging time for autistic teenagers. Hormonal changes may temporarily intensify sensory sensitivities and emotional responses. The increasing social demands of adolescence can also make social differences more apparent. However, with appropriate support, many autistic people navigate this transition successfully.

Can elderly people be diagnosed with autism?

Yes, people can be diagnosed with autism at any age, including in their senior years. Many older adults who receive late-life diagnoses have lived with unrecognized autism their entire lives. A diagnosis, even later in life, can help explain lifelong differences and provide access to appropriate support.

How can families prepare for age-related changes in autism?

Families can prepare by staying informed about typical developmental challenges, maintaining consistent support while allowing for growing independence, building connections with the autism community through organizations like the National Autistic Society, and planning for major life transitions well in advance. Resources from Autism Education Trust can also provide valuable guidance for families.

Does autism affect life expectancy?

Research published in the British Journal of Psychiatry suggests that autism itself doesn’t necessarily affect life expectancy, though some co-occurring medical conditions may have an impact. According to the NHS, ensuring good healthcare, addressing mental health needs, and providing appropriate support throughout life are important for overall wellbeing.