Recorded October 3, 2025
United Nations, New York City
In partnership with the Nancy Lurie Marks Family Foundation, the Autism Research Institute sponsored the 2025 United Nations Think Tank on Aging and Autism.
Think Tank Format
Moderators invited key experts to give brief overviews of topics related to aging and autism, followed by a focused exploratory roundtable discussion.
Panelists and audience members included autistic individuals, clinicians, researchers, and representatives of UN member states.
The Think Tank was moderated by Fakhri Shafai (AIDE Canada) & Vanessa Bal (Rutgers University).
Meeting Agenda
| Time | Presentation |
|---|---|
| 10:00-10:15am | Welcome remarks by the sponsors: Stephen M. Edelson, (Autism Research Institute, USA), H.E. Natasha Meli (Permanent Representative of Malta to the UN), and Elizabeth Zwick (NLM Foundation, USA). |
| 10:15-10:30am | Dena Gassner, Drexel University and Chan Li, University of Malta – Navigating healthcare systems and reducing administrative burdens and bureaucratic barriers |
| 10:30-10:45am | Karen Turner, Massachusetts General Hospital and David Nicholas, University of Calgary – Needs and capacity in long-term care and acute medical settings, including hospital admissions |
| 10:45-11:05am | Robert L. Hendren, Professor of Psychiatry Emeritus, UCSF; Autism Research Institute; Oak Hill School Board and Research and Margaret Bauman, Boston University School of Medicine – (a) Impact of medications on autistic individuals during aging; and (b) Physical and mental health challenges associated with aging |
| 11:05-11:20am | Melissa Levin, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Mary Doherty, University College Dublin School of Medicine – Cancer treatment considerations in older autistic adults |
| 11:20-11:40am | Abha Chauhan, Ph.D., NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities – (a) Biological underpinnings of aging in autism; and (b) Age-related neurological conditions, such as Dementia. |
| 11:40-11:55am | Christopher Palmer, Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability, Malta) – Preparing autistic adults to effectively communicate with healthcare providers during medical visits |
| 11:55-12:10pm | Kimberly Armstrong, University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University and Spectrum Works (Canada) and Wenn Lawson, (Curtin University, West Australia) – Benefits of late autism diagnosis and self-recognition in older adults |
| 12:10-12:25pm | Alistair de Gaetano, Autism Advisory Council (Malta) – Financial vulnerability, precarity and support for exercising legal capacity |
| 12:25-12:40pm | Laura Graham Holmes, Hunter College (CUNY) – Learning from other sectors (e.g., the LGBTQ community) about addressing systemic issues |
| 12:40-12:55pm | Fakhri Shafai, Chief Science Officer at AIDE Canada – Loneliness and social isolation |
| 12:55-1:00 pm | Stephen M. Edelson, , Autism Research Institute – Closing remarks |
10:00-10:15am – Welcome remarks by the sponsors: Stephen M. Edelson, (Autism Research Institute, USA), H.E. Natasha Meli (Permanent Representative of Malta to the UN), and Elizabeth Zwick (NLM Foundation, USA).
10:15-10:30am – Dena Gassner, Drexel University and Chan Li, University of Malta – Navigating healthcare systems and reducing administrative burdens and bureaucratic barriers
10:30-10:45am – Karen Turner, Massachusetts General Hospital and David Nicholas, University of Calgary – Needs and capacity in long-term care and acute medical settings, including hospital admissions
10:45-11:05am – Robert L. Hendren, Professor of Psychiatry Emeritus, UCSF; Autism Research Institute; Oak Hill School Board and Research and Margaret Bauman, Boston University School of Medicine – (a) Impact of medications on autistic individuals during aging; and (b) Physical and mental health challenges associated with aging
11:05-11:20am – Melissa Levin, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Mary Doherty, University College Dublin School of Medicine – Cancer treatment considerations in older autistic adults
11:20-11:40am – Abha Chauhan, Ph.D., NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities – (a) Biological underpinnings of aging in autism; and (b) Age-related neurological conditions, such as Dementia.
11:40-11:55 – Christopher Palmer, Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability, Malta) – Preparing autistic adults to effectively communicate with healthcare providers during medical visits
11:55-12:10pm – Kimberly Armstrong, Spectrum Works (Canada) and Wenn Lawson, (Curtin University, West Australia) – Benefits of late autism diagnosis and self-recognition in older adults
12:10-12:25pm – Alistair de Gaetano, Autism Advisory Council (Malta) – Financial vulnerability, precarity and support for exercising legal capacity
12:25 to 12:40pm – Laura Graham Holmes, Hunter College (CUNY) – Learning from other sectors (e.g., the LGBTQ community) about addressing systemic issues
12:40-12:55pm – Fakhri Shafai, Chief Science Officer at AIDE Canada – Loneliness and social isolation
12:55-1:00pm – Stephen M. Edelson, , Autism Research Institute – Closing remarks
Published Editorial Perspectives on Seniors & Aging
Navigating New Territory – The Growing Focus on Autistic Seniors