I searched for "autism and aging" in the NAS website and got no results.  A call to share and discuss resources on this topic.

I just read the first article link to SPARK, it was interesting and confirmed a lot of what I was thinking. With the increased risks of things like high BP and cholesterol made me wonder about diet and the effects it has on the body and brain? I've known autistic people who are very restricted in what they eat, I get why that is, sensory issues etc, but, I've also known some people who've worked in care settings with young people with various problems such as ASC and Downs, they've questioned why the staff at these homes never encourage healthy eating or even healthier, over a continuous diet of ready meals, pizzas and breakfast cereal. We are starting to realise just how bad UPF's are and we've known for a long time that poor diet equals poorer health. 

Another thing I've looked at are meal delivery services that are pushed at older people now meals on wheels services have pretty much disapeared, there is only one vegetarian option and that includes eggs. They don't seem to cater for allergies to things such as wheat and dairy which are really common, (this is from looking at their websites), let alone an individuals needs, where would one go if one needed such a service? I've met health professionals who seem to think that the way to deal with allergies is more medication, immodium, antacids, senokot, etc, surely instead of more pills on top of what someone might already be taking isn't the way to go. Some medications such as antacids can't be taken with other common medications.

Could a part of the reason why there's a higher mortality rate be because of lack of support? Lack of anyone who knows how to communicate with people who are not very good at expressing themselves, if nobody takes the time to find out why we're we feel troubled then theres going to be even less help.

Another thing that struck me again is how much work on autism is American, although how much longer that will last under Trump is another matter and one for another thread. Whilst research done in America is useful and good, it's conclusions and suggestions are less good for those outside of America, where there will be differnt systems and ways of caring for people, or not. Personally, one of the things that puts me off so much stuff about autism is that its American and aimed at Americans, isn't right for those of us in the UK, even the language used can be unfamiliar and take time to work out what on earth they're on about.

I just read the first article link to SPARK, it was interesting and confirmed a lot of what I was thinking. With the increased risks of things like high BP and cholesterol made me wonder about diet and the effects it has on the body and brain? I've known autistic people who are very restricted in what they eat, I get why that is, sensory issues etc, but, I've also known some people who've worked in care settings with young people with various problems such as ASC and Downs, they've questioned why the staff at these homes never encourage healthy eating or even healthier, over a continuous diet of ready meals, pizzas and breakfast cereal. We are starting to realise just how bad UPF's are and we've known for a long time that poor diet equals poorer health. 

Another thing I've looked at are meal delivery services that are pushed at older people now meals on wheels services have pretty much disapeared, there is only one vegetarian option and that includes eggs. They don't seem to cater for allergies to things such as wheat and dairy which are really common, (this is from looking at their websites), let alone an individuals needs, where would one go if one needed such a service? I've met health professionals who seem to think that the way to deal with allergies is more medication, immodium, antacids, senokot, etc, surely instead of more pills on top of what someone might already be taking isn't the way to go. Some medications such as antacids can't be taken with other common medications.

Could a part of the reason why there's a higher mortality rate be because of lack of support? Lack of anyone who knows how to communicate with people who are not very good at expressing themselves, if nobody takes the time to find out why we're we feel troubled then theres going to be even less help.

Another thing that struck me again is how much work on autism is American, although how much longer that will last under Trump is another matter and one for another thread. Whilst research done in America is useful and good, it's conclusions and suggestions are less good for those outside of America, where there will be differnt systems and ways of caring for people, or not. Personally, one of the things that puts me off so much stuff about autism is that its American and aimed at Americans, isn't right for those of us in the UK, even the language used can be unfamiliar and take time to work out what on earth they're on about.