Special Project Appeal: Autism and ADHD at Midlife

Autism and ADHD don't end at 18. So why are the needs of neurodivergent adults still so often overlooked?

At Neurodiversity Change Foundation (NCF), we're working to change that.

We've now received 170 registrations from people interested in helping shape priorities for neurodivergent aging research and practice change in British Columbia.

The response has been extraordinary. And the experiences people are sharing simply in registering reveal some important emerging themes:

🔹 Late diagnosis: Adults reconsidering decades of masking, misunderstanding, missed opportunities and inadequate support—there is not enough support at midlife and we need to respond.
🔹 Employment and financial insecurity: Repeated job loss, burnout, disability benefits and disappearing retirement security—even among highly educated and experienced professionals.
🔹 Menopause and changing functioning: New challenges emerging in midlife, often without knowledgeable healthcare or appropriate support creating risk and compounding existing challenges.
🔹 Healthcare barriers: Difficulty accessing diagnosis, treatment, accommodations and practitioners who understand neurodivergent adults, differences, and the risks and realities they face.
🔹 Aging and independence: Concerns about housing, income, relationships and what happens when family members can no longer provide support.

These are preliminary themes from community registrations, not formal research findings. But they raise important questions.

What happens when decades of unmet needs and systemic exclusion follow people into midlife and older adulthood? What are we going to do about it?

This is about using them to guide action with our partners.

But here's our challenge: 170 people have expressed interest, and we currently have funding for just nine participant spaces.

We believe neurodivergent adults should be compensated for contributing their time, knowledge and lived expertise to improving the systems that affect their lives. We know it matters.

That's why we're asking for your support.

From October 23–30, 100% of donations to our Special Project Appeal will support participant honoraria, helping us create more opportunities for community members to contribute.

NCF focuses on neurodivergent adults. We're building the partnerships, evidence and community leadership needed to drive meaningful systems change.

💚 Support our Special Appeal: https://lnkd.in/gt_vRTd8

Please share this post and help us build a future in which neurodivergent adults don't just participate in research—they help determine what gets researched and what needs to change.