Autism is a lifelong neuro-developmental disorder with known impacts throughout the lifespan. Whilst the majority of Autism research is dedicated to child and adolescent development, there is little known about the the trajectory of development of autism in adulthood, even less so in middle and later adulthood.

My research is interested in filling this information gap and furthering theory on Ageing with Autism from the perspectives of the adults themselves. A better understanding of the life course pattern of autism is essential for developing appropriate, person-centred support and service provision, which is particularly pertinent in the ageing population we live in.

By conducting interviews with families of adults on the spectrum, I hope to elucidate some of the questions regarding what it means to age with autism. This will be guided entirely by the lived experiences, needs and goals of adults growing into older adulthood and their families.