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What is Autism Spectrum Disorder? A complex neurological disorder that typically appears during the first 3 years of life and lasts throughout a person's lifetime. -symptoms fall on a continuum, some mild some severe. -allows clinicians to account for variations in symptoms and behaviors from person to person.
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- Overview
- The Connection Between Autism and Lower Life Expectancy
- Diagnosing Autism
- Treatment for and Coping with Autism
- Summary
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Language note: Although individual preferences exist, surveys of the autistic community consistently show that autistic people prefer identity-first language rather than person-first language (i.e., “autistic person” rather than “person with autism”). This article reflects that community language preference.
Autistic people have 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.
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 using nonverbal communication in conversations. Navigating systems designed for neurotypical people is stressful for neurodivergent people, particularly autistics, and this chronic stress contributes to differences in life expectancy.
One major contributor to life expectancy differences for autistic versus non-autistic people is comorbid genetic and medical conditions. Compared to non-autistic people, autistics are at higher risk for several genetic disorders that are linked to shorter life expectancy, including Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, and Fragile X syndrome.
Autistic people are additionally more likely to experience neurological disorders such 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 includes anxiety, depression, psychotic disorders, and trauma disorders. This added risk for mental health diagnoses means that autistic people are at higher risk than non-autistic people of suicide.
This manifests not only in societal expectations but in “treatments” that are often recommended for autistic people. For example, many autistic people who received applied behavioral analysis (ABA) treatment report that the emphasis on compliance and eliminating autistic behaviors is traumatic and abusive.
For children, autism can be diagnosed by a psychologist, psychiatrist, or developmental specialist. For adults, autism can be diagnosed by psychologists or psychiatrists with appropriate training. Autism is diagnosed through a psychological evaluation, which has multiple components and may include:
•Diagnostic or Intake Interview: An appointment with the evaluator during which they ask extensive questions about history, symptoms, et cetera.
•Collateral Interviews: Some evaluations include interviews with a parent or caregiver in an effort to gather more early developmental information and history of symptoms. This is not always available.
•The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2): The ADOS-2 involves having an individual answer questions and complete tasks to determine whether their presentation is consistent with autism.
•Autism Spectrum Rating Scale (ASRS): An observational measure completed by parents and teachers to provide information about a child’s behaviors. This data is compared to autistic and non-autistic children to determine whether the child’s presentation is consistent with autism.
•The Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum, Second Edition (MIGDAS-2): The MIGDAS-2 is an interview assessment that asks about various life experiences and symptoms often seen in autistic individuals.
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 a neurodivergence and 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 in neurotypical ways, as this masking can cause stress and burnout.
Autistic people might benefit from individual therapy to address any comorbid mental health conditions, like trauma disorders, depression, or anxiety. They might also find support in group therapy or support groups, where they can connect with people they relate to and who have had similar experiences.
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. It can also improve quality of life and help individuals manage any comorbid conditions.
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1.Sala R, Amet L, Blagojevic-Stokic N, Shattock P, Whiteley P. Bridging the gap between physical health and autism spectrum disorder. NDT. 2020;16:1605-1618. doi:10.2147/NDT.S251394
2.Al-Beltagi M. Autism medical comorbidities. WJCP. 2021;10(3):15-28.
3.Lugo-Marín J, Magán-Maganto M, Rivero-Santana A, et al. Prevalence of psychiatric disorders in adults with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. 2019;59:22-33.
On March 21, 2017, CNN published an article on a new study from the American Journal of Public Health that found the average life span of an autistic person is 36 years. I wasn’t shocked by...
What is autism spectrum disorder? Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave. Although autism can be diagnosed at any age, it is described as a “developmental disorder” because symptoms generally appear in the first two years of life.
Print. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition involving persistent challenges with social communication, restricted interests and repetitive behavior. While autism is considered a lifelong disorder, the degree of impairment in functioning because of these challenges varies between individuals with autism.
