What to Know About Autism and Life Expectancy

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAutism and Lower Life ExpectancyDiagnosisTreatment and Coping

Table of ContentsView All

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Table of Contents

Autism and Lower Life Expectancy

Diagnosis

Treatment and Coping

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Language note: Although individual preferences exist, surveys of the autistic community consistently show that autistic people preferidentity-first languagerather than person-first language (i.e., “autistic person” rather than “person with autism”). This article reflects that community language preference.

Autistic peoplehave significantly lower life expectancies than the rest of the population. In 2022, the average global life expectancy is approximately 72 years old. For autistic people, though, the average life expectancy ranges from 39.5 years to 58 years.

While various factors impact life expectancy, stress can play a major role. Some of the psychological stressors that autistic people experience are a result of existing in a world that has not been designed to meet their needs.

Society is set up with various behavior expectations that are challenging, uncomfortable, or even impossible for some autistic people, such as eye contact, sitting still in appointments and meetings, and usingnonverbal communicationin conversations. Navigating systems designed for neurotypical people is stressful for neurodivergent people, particularly autistics, and this chronic stress contributes to differences in life expectancy.

At a GlanceWhile individual experiences vary, evidence suggests that autism is linked to a lower life expectancy. Some of this may be linked to comorbid medical or mental health conditions, but other factors, including chronic stress, dubious treatments, poor support, trauma, and maltreatment, play a role. To ensure that people get the support, accommodations, and care that they need, getting an accurate diagnosis is important. It’s just as vital that the support autistic people get helps lower their stress and avoid compounding trauma they may have already experienced. Every person’s experiences are unique, so the type of support they receive should be tailored to their specific needs.

At a Glance

While individual experiences vary, evidence suggests that autism is linked to a lower life expectancy. Some of this may be linked to comorbid medical or mental health conditions, but other factors, including chronic stress, dubious treatments, poor support, trauma, and maltreatment, play a role. To ensure that people get the support, accommodations, and care that they need, getting an accurate diagnosis is important. It’s just as vital that the support autistic people get helps lower their stress and avoid compounding trauma they may have already experienced. Every person’s experiences are unique, so the type of support they receive should be tailored to their specific needs.

The Connection Between Autism and Lower Life Expectancy

One major contributor to life expectancy differences for autistic versus non-autistic people iscomorbid genetic and medical conditions. Compared to non-autistic people, autistics are at higher risk for severalgenetic disordersthat are linked to shorter life expectancy, including Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, and Fragile X syndrome.

Autistic people are additionally more likely to experienceneurological disorderssuch as epilepsy and hydrocephalus,sleep disorders, and gastrointestinal disorders.

Autistic people are also at higher risk for mental health issues compared to those who are not autistic. This includesanxiety, depression, psychotic disorders, and trauma disorders.This added risk formental health diagnosesmeans that autistic people are at higher risk than non-autistic people of suicide.

This manifests not only in societal expectations but also in “treatments” that are often recommended for autistic people. For example, many autistic people who receivedapplied behavioral analysis (ABA)treatment report that the emphasis on compliance and eliminating autistic behaviors is traumatic and abusive.

Understanding Autistic Burnout

Life Expectancy and Autism Levels

Autistic people present in a wide variety of ways, and no two autistic people are alike. Sometimes, autistic people are identified in terms of their “functioning.” Functioning labels are not specific diagnoses but are intended to determine how much support an individual needs in their daily life and survival.

Levels of AutismSome researchers and providers attempt to differentiatelevels of autism, identifying how expansive an individual’s support needs are. This system is limited, as individuals might have strengths and weaknesses in different areas rather than easily fitting into one category. Additionally, illness, stress, or burnout can cause someone’s level or presentation to change day to day or even hour to hour.

Levels of Autism

Some researchers and providers attempt to differentiatelevels of autism, identifying how expansive an individual’s support needs are. This system is limited, as individuals might have strengths and weaknesses in different areas rather than easily fitting into one category. Additionally, illness, stress, or burnout can cause someone’s level or presentation to change day to day or even hour to hour.

At the same time, some autistic people might require high support throughout their lifetime. Research has shown that those with higher support needs have shorter life expectancies than those with fewer support needs. Those who are able to manage independently live, on average, almost 20 years longer than those who require substantial support.

Diagnosing Autism

How Autism Is Diagnosed

Ways to Improve Life Expectancy for Autistic People

Autistic people who receive appropriate support may experience lower stress and decreased risk for stress-related illness, mental health issues, and earlier death. As such, identifying appropriate coping or treatment can be important in addressing lower life expectancy.

As autism is aneurodivergenceand not a mental illness. It is not something that needs to be “cured” or “fixed,” but appropriate support can increase quality of life.

The goal of treatment must be to help the autistic person identify coping and communication skills that are healthy and appropriate rather than to make them behave inneurotypicalways, as this masking can cause stress and burnout.

Autistic people might benefit fromindividual therapyto address any comorbid mental health conditions, like trauma disorders, depression, or anxiety. They might also find support ingroup therapyor support groups, where they can connect with people they relate to and who have had similar experiences.

Typically, autism does not require medication intervention, but autistic people who have other mental health diagnoses might require medication for those conditions.

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 thestressof existing in a world not built for you. Access to appropriate supports can help mitigate this effect. It can also improve quality of life and help individuals manage any comorbid conditions.

5 Signs of Autism That I Missed During Childhood, From an Autistic Psychologist

7 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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