Developmental Condition Tied to Elevated Parkinson’s Disorder Risk

WHO:

NY Post - The article reports that older adults diagnosed with autism face a higher risk of Parkinson’s-related movement disorders than the general population.

Fox News - Researchers studied adults with autism, intellectual disabilities, both diagnoses, and a general-population control group.

Fox News - Greg Wallace, lead author and professor in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., said the study found increased incidence of parkinsonism among autistic people in middle and older adulthood.

Fox News - Dr. Lee Murray, a neurologist based in Jackson, Tennessee, said the study clarifies earlier research; he was not involved in it.

Fox News - Dr. Chadrick Lane, a neuropsychiatrist and director of UT Southwestern Medical Center’s geriatric and neuropsychiatry clinic, said humor can help people navigating Parkinson’s.

WHAT:

Fox News - A study published in the journal *Autism* analyzed claims covering nearly 57 million Americans aged 45 and older.

Fox News - Parkinsonism prevalence was about 1.57% in the general-population control group, 3.83% among adults with autism alone, 4.32% among those with intellectual disability alone, and 4.86% among people with both diagnoses.

Fox News - Researchers reported that higher rates of Parkinson’s-related diagnoses persisted after excluding people who took antipsychotic medications.

Fox News - Wallace said, “It is therefore important for clinicians to establish clear baselines of motor skills and challenges during adulthood that can be tracked over time.”

Fox News - Murray said the findings do not mean that someone with autism is certain to develop Parkinson’s and cautioned that the results do not establish significantly higher risk for people with milder autism.

WHERE:

Fox News - Researchers used Medicare and Medicaid claims data; the study covered adults enrolled in public insurance programs.

Fox News - Lane’s clinic is at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas; Murray is based in Jackson, Tennessee.

WHEN:

Fox News - The claims data covered the period from 2017 to 2019.

WHY:

Fox News - Earlier research left uncertain whether motor problems in autistic people arose from autism or from antipsychotic medications, which can cause Parkinson’s-like symptoms.

Fox News - Researchers said monitoring motor skills can help clinicians and caregivers identify decline and enable earlier intervention.

HOW:

Fox News - Parkinsonism includes movement symptoms such as tremors, muscle rigidity, balance difficulties, and slowed voluntary movement, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

Fox News - The study relied on Medicare and Medicaid billing and diagnostic codes, which may contain coding errors or reflect differences in diagnosis.

Fox News - Claims data did not show individual symptom severity or allow assessment of lifestyle factors, genetics, or family history; people relying only on private insurance may also be absent.

Fox News - Murray said atypical movements in autistic patients can be mistaken for Parkinson’s, and advised reviewing medications with physicians and avoiding drugs that may cause a Parkinson’s-like appearance when possible.

(UPDATED October 30, 2026 18:01 UTC)

A large study found older adults with autism face increased rates of Parkinson’s-related movement disorders. Rates were higher with autism, and highest among people with autism and intellectual disabilities. Researchers recommend tracking motor skills, though diagnoses don’t mean Parkinson’s is inevitable.