Life Expectancy in Autistic Individuals: Part 1 – Statistical Data and Research Trends
- motim51
- Apr 21
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 23
🟨 Understanding Life Expectancy in Autistic Individuals
Research into the life expectancy of autistic individuals is a rapidly developing and highly important field.
It's essential to understand that autistic people are a highly diverse group, and many factors can impact their health and lifespan.
This review is based solely on academic findings 🎓 in order to present the most accurate and up-to-date picture possible.
🟨 Life Expectancy in Autistic Individuals: Key Findings
📌 Studies show that, on average, the life expectancy of autistic individuals is shorter compared to the neurotypical population.
However, it's important to note that findings vary between studies and are highly dependent on co-occurring conditions and the specific characteristics of the autistic person.
☝️ A very important clarification: Autism itself does not cause premature death — rather, the associated factors do, such as medical conditions, insufficient support, limited access to services, and challenges in diagnosis.
🟨 Swedish Study – 2016
One of the most widely cited studies in the field was published in The British Journal of Psychiatry.
This large-scale study found that autistic individuals were at increased risk of premature death, with an average age at death of just 54 years.
The risk was especially high among those diagnosed with autism and intellectual disability.
Common causes of death included epilepsy and co-occurring conditions such as depression 🧠.
🟨 U.S. Study – 2017
Another study analyzed over 32 million death certificates in the United States. Among the 1,367 autistic individuals who died, the average age at death was just 36.2 years 😢, compared to 72.0 years in the general population.
A particularly troubling finding:About 28% of deaths among autistic individuals were caused by injuries — primarily choking and drowning. This highlights the critical importance of awareness and appropriate safety measures 🚨.
🟨 UK Study – 2024
A recent study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe included nearly 10 million participants.
Among autistic individuals without intellectual disability, the risk of early death was 1.71 times higher.
Among those with intellectual disability, the risk was 2.83 times higher.
📉 Reduction in Life Expectancy by Gender:
• Autistic individuals without intellectual disability:
👨 Males – lived 6.14 years less
👩 Females – lived 6.45 years less
• Autistic individuals with intellectual disability:
👨 Males – lived 7.28 years less
👩 Females – lived 14.59 years less (!)
📍 However, the researchers themselves noted possible bias in the data — many autistic adults remain undiagnosed, and the studied group may have represented those with more intensive needs and additional health complexities.
💡 Preliminary Conclusions
These findings highlight the urgent need for accessible healthcare, consistent medical monitoring, early intervention, and tailored support services.
A deeper understanding of the factors impacting autistic individuals’ health is critical for developing effective interventions that can significantly improve both quality and length of life 💙.
📘 In our next post, we’ll dive deeper into the causes behind reduced life expectancy in autism — and the steps we can take to improve the situation.
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📚 Further Reading from Academic Sources:
1. Hirvikoski et al. (2016), The British Journal of Psychiatry
2. Guan & Li (2017), American Journal of Public Health
3. Cuadrado et al. (2024), The Lancet Regional Health – Europe
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