What happens to autistic adults as they age?
What Happens to Autistic Adults as They Age?
Aging with Autism: A Lifelong Journey
Autism doesn’t magically disappear with age—nope, not even close. It evolves, it shifts, it gets tangled up with life's challenges, just like anyone else’s path. The narrative that autism is a “childhood condition” is just... well, outdated.
Independence and Daily Living Skills
Some Thrive, Some Struggle—It’s a Spectrum, After All
Many autistic adults learn strategies to live independently, especially with early interventions and supportive environments. Others may continue to need assistance with cooking, banking, or even navigating social situations (ugh, those never get easier, do they?).
Sometimes people improve their functional skills over time, but for some, executive function issues (like planning and organizing) can remain stubborn hurdles. Not impossible, just...tricky.
Support Systems Matter—A Lot
Families, community programs, and support workers play a huge role in whether an autistic adult can maintain a stable, semi-autonomous life. There's no shame in needing ongoing help—it’s just part of the deal for many.
Mental Health and Co-occurring Conditions
Anxiety, Depression, and Burnout... Oh My
As autistic individuals get older, they might face increased anxiety, especially as societal expectations (jobs, relationships, etc.) mount. Burnout—a very real thing—is not just a workplace issue. Autistic burnout can be long-term and deeply disabling.
Oh, and depression? That creeps in too, often because of years of masking or social rejection. It’s heartbreaking but common. Therapy helps, though ideally with someone trained in neurodiversity.
Aging Brings Physical Health Stuff, Too
Just like neurotypicals, autistic adults are prone to the usual aging stuff: arthritis, high blood pressure, you name it. But sometimes, sensory sensitivities or communication differences make it harder to recognize or treat symptoms.
Social Life and Isolation
Friends, Relationships, and the Fear of Being Misunderstood
This part? It gets messy. While some autistic adults build fulfilling relationships (romantic and platonic), others remain socially isolated. Not because they want to, but because... well, people can be cruel, or just plain confusing.
That said, many autistic adults do find deep friendships—sometimes online, sometimes through special interests. And honestly? That connection matters way more than some norm about what friendship “should” look like.
Employment (or the Lack Thereof)
Here’s the kicker: despite talent and intelligence, many autistic adults remain underemployed or unemployed. Workplace accommodations are still too rare, and the hiring process is often a nightmare.
Still, some adults carve their own path—freelance work, entrepreneurship, or advocacy roles. Flexibility can be a lifesaver.
Long-Term Planning: Housing, Care, and Legacy
Who Will Help When Family Can’t?
A tough question—what happens when parents or siblings are no longer around? Many autistic adults rely heavily on family, and long-term care plans are often, sadly, neglected until it’s too late.
Assisted living communities that understand neurodivergence are rare. But they're growing—slowly.
Financial Planning is Crucial
Savings, trusts, and disability benefits (like SSI or PIP, depending on where you live) need to be part of the conversation. Honestly, it's not sexy, but it's super necessary.
Wrapping It Up—But Not Tying a Bow
Autistic adults age just like everyone else: with joy, with struggle, with growth, and yeah, sometimes with fear. But they also bring unique perspectives, intense passions, and resilience that’s—frankly—underappreciated.
There’s still a long way to go in terms of research, support, and societal understanding. But with awareness and advocacy (and okay, a bit more funding), the aging journey for autistic folks could be one filled with more dignity, more ease, and a whole lot more respect.
And hey—maybe that’s not just about autism. Maybe that’s what we all need.
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Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.