People with late onset disabilities are mostly nonwhite, non-Hispanic, female, older, and married compared to those with early onset. Those with early onset and no disabilities display the same numbers in terms of race/ethnicity and age, the former of which may reflect how several factors influence early and late disability.

Demographics of People with Late Onset Disabilities

Those with late onset disabilities are more likely to live with a spouse, and to marry after disability onset, compared to those with early onset. Though, both early and late onset groups are equally as likely to live with someone, indicating a common source of economic stability and support.

Living Arrangements (Sources of Support) of People with Late Onset Disabilities

Education levels between early and late onset are relatively similar, but less than those without disabilities (less likely to have completed high school or gone to college). The only significant difference between the early and late onset groups are that people with early onset have a lower percentage that are college graduates.

Educational Attainment of People with Late Onset Disabilities

Comparisons were made to determine whether there were significant differences in the wages, family incomes, benefits, and overall employment between the early and late onset groups.

Differences in Financial Situations between Early and Late Onset Groups

There is no significant differences between early and late onset groups in percentage of having severe disabilities (around half of both groups) and mental health problems (around a fourth of both groups), both of which are likely to negatively impact both groups.

Differences between Early and Late Onset Groups: Severity of Disability

This section discusses the differences between early onset, late onset, and no disability groups in terms of demographics, income, education, and employment.

University of Notre Dame

An individual with a late onset disability is one who developed a disability between the ages of 23 and 51.

Definition of Late Onset Under the Loprest and Maag Paper

Loprest, P., &amp; Maag, E. (2007). The relationship between early disability onset and education and Employment. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 26(1), 1–43. https://doi.org/10.1037/e723332011-001 

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