Late autism diagnosis in adulthood: experiences of invisibility and reinterpretation in Chile

In recent decades, significant advances in early autism diagnosis have improved developmental outcomes and quality of life in childhood. However, this progress contrasts with a persistent gap in adulthood, where many individuals receive a diagnosis only after years of unrecognized differences shaped by gender bias, social camouflaging, and psychiatric comorbidities.

Objectives

This study aimed to understand the experiences and life trajectories of autistic adults in Chile who received a diagnosis in adulthood.