Exploring the effects of age and sex on sensory sensitivities in middle and older aged autistic adults

Purpose: Although sensory sensitivities are common among autistic people, few studies have explored how they may be impacted by ageing. Little is known about the experiences of autistic people across adulthood or about the experiences of people assigned female-at-birth. Some results suggest that autistic people assigned female-at-birth report more sensory sensitivities, but little is known about experiences in middle-aged and older autistic people assigned female-at-birth.

Methods: This study explored self-reported sensory sensitivities and sensory acuity in 210 autistic people aged 42-80 years old. Associations between age and sensory sensitivities were examined using correlational and regression analyses, and t-tests explored differences based on sex-assigned-at-birth.

Results: No significant correlation was observed between age and sensory sensitivities, although older age was associated with poorer sensory acuity. Poorer acuity in vision and hearing was associated with more sensory sensitivities. People assigned female-at-birth reported higher scores for overall sensory sensitivities and low temperature/pain tolerance. Sex-assigned-at-birth, sensory acuity and an age-x-sensory acuity interaction term contributed significantly to a regression model explaining overall sensory sensitivity, but age did not contribute significantly.

Conclusion: This cross-sectional study suggests that sensory sensitivities are stable across middle-age and older adulthood. Results contrast with previous studies in young adults which have suggested reduction in sensory sensitivities with age. In keeping with studies of younger people, middle-age and older autistic adults assigned female-at-birth report higher rates of sensory sensitivities than comparably aged autistic adults assigned male-at-birth. If further studies examining individual change in sensory sensitives replicate these results, then they may contribute to understanding care needs of autistic older people.