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Understanding ADHD, autism and other conditions in older adults
By LeAnne Gendreau, Amy Amy Cameron O’Rourke, Sondra 'Sam' Cradduck , Rhea Rogers at KGNS — Sitewide
· June 23, 2026
· 4 min read
(Aging Untold) — For neurodiverse older Americans, staying focused and on track can get harder when retirement or health changes take away routines. The term neurodivergent refers to people who process information in a way that is not typical for their age, according to Northwestern Medicine.Many...
Key takeaway And I think about energy level, how much energy it takes to manage your whatever the diagnosis is,” Amy O’Rourke, an aging expert, said.
Why this matters in Laredo News
In Laredo , where a significant portion of the population is aging, recognizing neurodiversity in older adults can have a profound impact on their quality of life. As people retire or experience health changes, their routines are disrupted, making it harder to manage conditions like ADHD, autism, or OCD. This can lead to misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, which can be particularly problematic in a community where access to specialized healthcare services may be limited. Local families and caregivers must be aware of the importance of distinguishing between neurodiversity and dementia, as Dr. Rhea Rogers emphasized. By understanding and supporting neurodiverse older adults, Laredo can work towards providing more effective care and resources, tailored to the unique needs of this population. This requires a collaborative effort between healthcare providers, social services, and community organizations to raise awareness and promote education about neurodiversity in aging.
About this story
Original reporting by KGNS — Sitewide . Laredo News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KGNS — Sitewide . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: KGNS — Sitewide ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? (Aging Untold) — For neurodiverse older Americans, staying focused and on track can get harder when retirement or health changes take away routines. The term neurodivergent refers to people who process information in a way that is not typical for their age, according to Northwestern Medicine.Many...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by KGNS — Sitewide and curated for Laredo News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by LeAnne Gendreau, Amy Amy Cameron O’Rourke, Sondra 'Sam' Cradduck , Rhea Rogers at KGNS — Sitewide. To learn more about how Laredo News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Laredo News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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