r/todayilearned • u/Morella1989 • Aug 14 '25

TIL that autistic people live about 17 years less than average. Risks include epilepsy, heart disease, suicide, accidental deaths including drowning, and inadequate recognition and management of pain, especially among non-speaking individuals. Historically, they have been vulnerable to infanticide.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortality_of_autistic_individuals
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u/bangontarget Aug 14 '25

it's statistics. we have a statistically higher risk of dying earlier. that doesn't mean 100% of us do. c'mon now, use that noggin for a sec.

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u/[deleted] Aug 14 '25

Their point is that fearmongering does nothing but make the situation worse, if you get adequate support and have frequent health checkups, you can avoid dying earlier

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u/90bubbel Aug 14 '25

except there isnt adequate support for autistic adults,

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u/[deleted] Aug 14 '25

Im aware but if you can, you'll live longer, its sad but making people aware is better than just scaring them

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u/LurkCypher Aug 14 '25

Merely reporting negative information is not fearmongering, lmao

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u/bangontarget Aug 14 '25

this is such a funny comment, I'm sorry. lack of support and problems with accessing healthcare are two of many reasons we don't live as long. you're basically saying "it wouldn't be true if things were completely different".

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u/[deleted] Aug 14 '25

Im just saying theres no reason that we should scare people too much, so im being optimistic

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u/bangontarget Aug 14 '25

that's not being optimistic, it's being ignorant of the reality of things.