Motor Challenges in Aging Autistic Adults

This synthesis highlights the prevalent nature of motor challenges in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), persisting from childhood into older adulthood, including age-related conditions such as Parkinson’s disease. Research delineates structural differences in the brains of autistic people—particularly in the precentral gyrus, cerebellum, and basal ganglia—that may contribute to the distinct motor traits in ASD. With an anticipated increase in the elderly autism population, there is a pressing need for targeted research and interventions that consider the full spectrum of ASD’s lifetime impact, including the risks of neurodegeneration and the increasing demand for age-appropriate care and support.