Summary. Autistic people have shorter life expectancy than non-autistic people, partially due to higher risk for genetic and medical issues and partially due to the stress of existing in a world not built for you. Access to appropriate supports can help mitigate this effect.
Long-term research that involved following a group of individuals with autism for two decades indicates that the average life expectancy for some autistic people is about 39 years. Furthermore, this population generally succumbed to health complications about 20 years earlier than individuals who do not have autism.
Autistic people have significantly lower life expectancies than the rest of the population. A statement from the UK government in 2021 quotes the data reported by the British Journal of Psychiatry that autistic people will live 16 years fewer than their non-autistic peers.
Of the deaths in individuals with autism, 28 percent were attributed to injury, most often by suffocation, followed by asphyxiation, and drowning.
Donald Triplett, the Mississippi man known worldwide as "Case 1," the first person to be diagnosed with autism, died Thursday, June 15, 2023. Donald Gray Triplett, the first person diagnosed with autism symptoms, died Thursday, according to his longtime employer. Triplett was 89.
Based on the operationalisation of a previous study, we examined 'slower', 'average', and 'faster' agers (Belsky et al. 2017). More than twice as many people in the high autistic trait group (31.6%) were faster agers, compared to 13.3% of the low trait group (see Supplementary Material, Supplementary Figure 1).
The short answer is that autism does not necessarily get worse with age. However, the symptoms of autism can change over time, and some people may experience new challenges as they get older. For example, some people with autism may become more aware of their social differences as they enter adolescence and adulthood.
People diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, which causes challenges with social skills and communication, die at an average age of just 36, noted the researchers. For the general population, life expectancy is 72.
Your child may struggle to understand the concept of death and loss and how they are supposed to behave when someone dies. Most personal accounts suggest that autistic people react to death and experience the grieving process differently to non-autistic people.
Level 1 is the mildest, or “highest functioning” form of autism, which includes those who would have previously been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. Individuals with ASD level 1 may have difficulty understanding social cues and may struggle to form and maintain personal relationships.
Conclusion. In conclusion, autistic individuals can absolutely have children of their own. While there may be some challenges that they face, with the right support and resources, autistic parents can be successful and loving parents.
A child with ASD can be challenging—they may be restless; have trouble sleeping, eating or speaking; experience seizures; or have meltdowns born of frustration or overstimulation. Expectations for a “normal” life may need to be adjusted.
Type 2 autism, or level 2 autism, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how an individual communicates and behaves. They are compromised in social communication, exhibiting atypical social behaviors, and may even walk away in the middle of an interaction.
According to research, approximately 20 percent of the population will experience depression at some point in their lives—this statistic increases to almost 60 percent in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Autistic children and teenagers experience a range of emotions, but they might need support to recognise, understand and manage their emotions. For example, your autistic child might feel all negative or unpleasant emotions as anger. Or they might not recognise when they're excited.
Keep in mind that verbal communication varies greatly among children with autism. Some children who have autism may start using words earlier than other children, while others remain non verbal for years or even for life.
Level 1 autism spectrum disorder. The least severe form of autism is level 1, generally considered “mild autism.” Children with level 1 autism may struggle in social situations and raise concerns about restricting or repetitive behaviors, yet require limited assistance to perform their daily activities.
Can Level 1 Autism Be Cured? Autism of any level is a lifetime condition; there is currently no known cure. However, it is possible to help autistic individuals achieve a higher quality of life. Early diagnosis and clinical intervention are crucial for the best outcomes.
Just like neurotypical individuals, the future of people with ASD depends on their strengths, passions and skillsets. It is important to understand that a diagnosis of ASD does not mean that your child cannot make friends, date, go to college, get married, become a parent, and/or have a satisfying lucrative career.
Specifically, researchers have found that some of the genes that are associated with autism are also associated with an increased risk of developing dementia later in life.
Autism in siblings
When it comes to siblings, the research is clear: When one child is diagnosed with ASD, the next child to come along has about a 20% greater chance of developing ASD than a child with neurotypical older siblings.