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Autistics die younger and what can be done.

David

Have you heard that a survey was done in Sweden that Autistic people tend to die younger than the general population.  It does not mean that some Autistic people can live up to a Hundred Years Old.  Why do you think that Autistic people live shorter lives?  I have asked the NAS to do a campain and Autistica is also looking into it.  The N AS did say that they are going to talk to the Government.  It is important to do a campaign for older Adults as there has been a lot said about children on the Autistic spectrum.

David.

Parents

  • Hi David.

    Yes, there has been a fair bit of discussion of this research on several of the autism boards that I frequent.  There are some indications that the results may be skewed due to the relatively recent introduction of the Asperger's Syndrome diagnosis, however the difference is too stark, I think, to be entirely down to statistical biases.

    I think that the most worrying thing is that, aside from the special issues that autistic peope with epilepsy face, it seems that the reduced life-span is not directly caused by autism itself.  The next biggest cause after epilepsy that was identified was a shockingly high rate of suicides.  This points to social isolation and the poor handling of autistic patients with depression as a major cause of reduced life-span - nothing to do with our different genetics or neurology, but the way that society treats us, how this leaves us feeling, and the efficacy of treatments that we are offered.

    Even the indications that common ailments such as heart disease are more common in the autistic population can very easily be seen as the result of depression leading autistic people to take less care of themselves, and greater difficulty accessing appropriate treatments.

    It is urgent that any differences between the UK and Swedish populations be tested for, and that more research is done to identify any changes to social and health care that are needed, so that autistic people have a better opportunity to live a long and healthy life.

Reply

  • Hi David.

    Yes, there has been a fair bit of discussion of this research on several of the autism boards that I frequent.  There are some indications that the results may be skewed due to the relatively recent introduction of the Asperger's Syndrome diagnosis, however the difference is too stark, I think, to be entirely down to statistical biases.

    I think that the most worrying thing is that, aside from the special issues that autistic peope with epilepsy face, it seems that the reduced life-span is not directly caused by autism itself.  The next biggest cause after epilepsy that was identified was a shockingly high rate of suicides.  This points to social isolation and the poor handling of autistic patients with depression as a major cause of reduced life-span - nothing to do with our different genetics or neurology, but the way that society treats us, how this leaves us feeling, and the efficacy of treatments that we are offered.

    Even the indications that common ailments such as heart disease are more common in the autistic population can very easily be seen as the result of depression leading autistic people to take less care of themselves, and greater difficulty accessing appropriate treatments.

    It is urgent that any differences between the UK and Swedish populations be tested for, and that more research is done to identify any changes to social and health care that are needed, so that autistic people have a better opportunity to live a long and healthy life.

Children
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