The question is difficult to answer for any population. Autism is not classified as a medical condition, and it is not completely debilitating. The condition is not life threatening, but some circumstances may potentially have a bearing on longevity.
People With Autism May Die Younger
More research is required to completely understand the underlying factors, but research published by the organization Autista points to some startling differences in life expectancy for those on the autism spectrum as compared to the general population. On average, people with autism may die 18 to 30 years before their peers. In the United States, this translates to an average life expectancy of 49 to 61 years. The study identified some shocking statistics:
Adults with autism and a diagnosed learning disability were 40 times more likely to die early, often of a neurological disorder, especially epilepsy.
Adults on the spectrum who did not have a learning disability were still nine times more likely to die early, most often from suicide.
Underlying Mental Health Conditions
A 2016 study published in JAMA Pediatrics provided additional support for those on the spectrum having a higher mortality risk. The study found that young adults with ASD were twice as likely to die prematurely than young adults in the general population. This research pointed to underlying mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, which can go undiagnosed. In some cases, the symptoms of these conditions look different in those with autism, leading families and health care professionals to miss the signs that something may be wrong. In fact, up to 70 percent of people on the spectrum have another underlying mental health condition.
Suicide
The Autista report found that among higher functioning people, the leading cause of death was suicide, and up to 14 percent of children with autism report having considered suicide. A 2018 article published in the journal Autism reported that 20 to 40 percent of adults with autism have considered suicide, and 15 percent have made at least one suicide attempt.
Epilepsy
According to Autista, those with epilepsy were at the greatest risk of early death. Between 20 and 40 percent of people with autism also have epilepsy, compared to about one percent of the general population. The report noted that epilepsy was diagnosed much later on average in those with ASD, often in the teen years.
Drowning
People with ASD are often attracted to water, according to Autism Speaks. In fact, among those who have a tendency to wander, drowning is the leading cause of death. Research indicates these drowning deaths often occur near the victim’s home, usually within walking distance and often in smaller bodies of water like ponds. The average age of drowning victims was six to 11 years old.
Neurology Versus Physiology
Conditions like autism should not be confused with conditions that are medical in nature. Although there are comorbid physical and mental conditions associated with autism, it is not the autism itself that is responsible for the reduced life expectancy. People diagnosed on the autism spectrum do not have obvious physical characteristics. The brain of a person with autism functions differently, but this seems to have no direct physical effects on the body.
Amygdale
There are significant differences in the brains of people with autism that are not found in neurotypical individuals. These differences are measurable and quite real, even though they are not physically apparent.
Heightened activity in the amygdale found in adults with autism may interfere with the individual’s ability to make appropriate social connections with others. The amygdale has specific functions, namely the “fight or flight response” among others:
- Face recognition
- Interpreting emotional states
- Social information
- Evaluating situations
The increased activity in this region of the brain may explain some of the difficulties an individual with autism has with proper social interaction as well as an overwhelming intolerance for changes in routine as well as transitions. The inability to process situational experiences effectively can lead to extreme anxiety and behavioral outbursts. Other evidence of difference in the amygdale are apparent in studies by the M.I.N.D. Institute at the University of California.
Brain Impairments
Brain research in autism has uncovered other significant differences in mental processing that lead to the unusual behaviors sometimes exhibited by individuals with autism. Research has found faulty brain connections and brain overgrowth in infants. None of these factors have a bearing on life expectancy.
Other Possible Factors
Autism is not classified a disease or an illness that directly interferes with a person’s health. However, it is present throughout the individual’s lifetime. Health problems associated with autism are currently under investigation.
Immune Deficiencies
Some assert that autism may derive from an autoimmune problem that stems from environmental factors. These theories are controversial and have yet to be supported by scientific research.
- Opioid excess theory suggests that the condition is a biochemical condition that affects the brain. Many individuals embrace gluten-free diets to reduce opiates in the system, although there is very limited research to support this idea.
- Leaky gut is another theory that connects autism with immune and digestive problems. This theory is commonly associated with the controversial theory that autism is caused by vaccines.
- Mitochondrial Disease and Autism
- Mitochondria are cellular components that turn sugar into energy. Mitochondrial dysfunction interferes with proper cell functioning within various systems of the body, including the brain. In the Federal court case of Hannah Poling, mitochondrial disease was found to be the underlying condition that led to autism after she received double doses of the MMR vaccine. It is important to note that not every case of mitochondrial dysfunction manifests as autism, and not every person with autism has disease in the mitochondria.
Prognosis for Autism
Autism is a complex neurological condition that researchers are struggling to understand. There’s a great deal of evidence that comorbid conditions like anxiety, depression, and epilepsy may significantly shorten the average lifespan for a person on the autism spectrum. Identifying, diagnosing, and treating these conditions may help prolong the lives of those who are affected.
