Home / Health / Elderly Autism Patients See Faster Diagnoses
Elderly Autism Patients See Faster Diagnoses
24 Oct
Summary
- Waiting times for autism assessments reduced from 118 to 20 weeks.
- Pilot scheme successfully rolled out across County Durham and Teesside.
- Up to 90% of older autistic adults in England may be undiagnosed.
Mental health teams are now offering faster autism assessments to patients over 65, following a highly successful pilot program. Easington NHS mental health service, an early adopter of the scheme, achieved a dramatic reduction in average waiting times, slashing them from 118 weeks to just 20 weeks within the first year for older individuals accessing secondary mental health care.
This initiative, which allows for autism diagnosis within the service, is now expanding to cover County Durham and Teesside. Experts highlight that many older adults who are autistic often go undiagnosed, a situation that a formal diagnosis can significantly improve by altering the care they receive. This can lead to adjustments in medication, a review of past diagnoses, and people being discharged from services with appropriate support.
Research indicates a substantial gap in diagnosis, with an estimated 90% of middle-aged and older autistic adults in England currently undiagnosed. Specialist teams emphasize that the outcomes for patients have been "fabulous," particularly for those who have historically been treatment-resistant. The program helps these individuals understand themselves better, process long-standing feelings, and move forward positively.
