Aging of persons with neurodevelopmental disabilities

A growing body of research informs our understanding of aging in individuals with neurodevelopmental or intellectual disorders, including autism spectrum disorder and Down syndrome. Due to diagnostic, medical, and technological advances, as well as improvements in formal and informal support, adults with neurodevelopmental disorders are living longer than ever before. This has resulted in a dramatic increase in the population of older adults living with neurodevelopmental disorders. Although neurodevelopmental diagnoses are typically made in childhood, features of neurodevelopmental disorders exist throughout the lifespan and significantly impact an individual’s functional abilities in late life. Functional and cognitive abilities, which vary widely within this population, play an important role in determining life expectancy as well as quality of life during the aging process.