Introduction: Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that impacts health outcomes across the lifespan. Older autistic adults have poorer health outcomes and more unmet health needs than their non-disabled peers, experiencing increased barriers to healthcare. There is limited research on older autistic adults and their healthcare practitioners, including occupational therapists.
Objectives: This study aimed to understand the readiness and self-efficacy of healthcare practitioners in providing health services to older autistic adults as well as enablers and barriers.
Methods: Mixed-methods were employed comprising online survey (n=42) and semi-structured interviews (n=4). Descriptive statistical analysis and qualitative content analysis was used to analyse closed and open survey responses. Thematic analysis was used to analyse interview transcripts.
Results: Most survey respondents had experience working with autistic adults, with over half reporting recent experience (past 24 months). However, three-quarters of respondents reported limited preparedness by their training to support older autistic adults. Enablers to health service provision included previous exposure to autistic people, flexibility, adaptability and using core professional skills within a supportive health system. Barriers included physical and systematic issues such as bright lighting, noisy or unpredictable environments, long wait-times and care transitions. Limited knowledge, experience and training in supports for older autistic adults were also barriers.
Conclusion: Healthcare practitioners felt largely underprepared to support older autistic adults, with limited access to training. Despite this, many felt confident in adapting core professional skills to support older autistic adults. Healthcare practitioners called for increased autism-specific training to build readiness and self-efficacy in the future.