The Overlooked Generation: Why Adult Autism Diagnosis Matters for Long-Term Health and Well-Being

November 1, 2025

Dr. Sharon Gainforth* | NeuroAI Team

At 72, Margaret finally had a word for something she’d felt her whole life.

She had always known she was different. Social gatherings drained her. Bright supermarket lights gave her headaches. She often needed hours alone to recover from conversations that seemed effortless for everyone else. For decades, she wondered if she was just “too sensitive” or “not good with people.”

It wasn’t until her granddaughter was diagnosed with autism that the pieces fell into place. Margaret pursued her own assessment—and at 72, she was finally diagnosed as autistic.

For Margaret, the diagnosis was more than a label. It was a key. A key to self-understanding, to gentler healthcare, to a community she never knew she was part of.

But Margaret is an exception. The truth is, she belongs to a huge “overlooked generation” of autistic adults who remain undiagnosed.

The Invisible Numbers

Research reveals the scale of this invisibility:

97% of autistic adults over 60 are undiagnosed.
89% between the ages of 40 and 59 are also undiagnosed.

That means millions of people have spent decades navigating life without the language, support, or validation that comes with a diagnosis. And the costs have been steep.

Life Without a Name

For many, living undiagnosed has meant:

Poor health outcomes – Miscommunication in medical settings, sensory needs dismissed, and higher risks of conditions like heart disease and depression.
Barriers at work – Struggles in social-heavy jobs, no accommodations, and lost opportunities.
Isolation – Being misunderstood by friends, partners, and even family, leading to fractured connections and loneliness.

It’s not autism itself that has caused so much hardship—it’s the decades of going unseen.

Why a Late Diagnosis Still Matters

Some wonder: If someone has made it this far, what’s the point of a diagnosis now?

For Margaret—and countless others—the answer is simple: it changes everything.

Relief and self-understanding: Finally knowing “why” makes sense of a lifetime of questions.
Improved healthcare: Doctors can adjust their approach—avoiding sensory overload in clinics, giving more processing time, and building trust.
Connection: Many find autistic communities later in life, offering belonging and understanding.
Better aging: With recognition, supports can be put in place to help older autistic adults thrive in independence and dignity.

Time to Act

The overlooked generation deserves better. We need:

Diagnostic pathways open to adults, not just children.
Healthcare providers trained to spot and support autistic traits in older adults.
Research that includes, not excludes, the elderly.
Social policies that prioritize quality of life for autistic adults—employment support, housing, and inclusive communities.

A Lifelong Journey

Autism doesn’t end in childhood. It doesn’t “fade away” with age. It is lifelong—and so must be our awareness and support.

For Margaret, her late diagnosis was a gift of clarity and connection. But for millions more, that gift has yet to come.

It’s time we see them. It’s time we support them. Because everyone—whether 6, 46, or 76—deserves to be recognized, understood, and included.

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* Dr. Sharon Gainforth is a Speech-Language Pathologist with over 35 years of expertise as a subject matter expert on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She is also the Chief Business Development Officer, Chief Content Officer and Co-Founder of NeuroAI.