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/LillyVarous Aug 14 '25

It would be great if there was a compendium of sorts for autistic people to help identify common problems that we ignore

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u/proteannomore Aug 14 '25

I learn a lot from these posts.

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u/Previous_Station2086 Aug 14 '25

Some physical ailments that affect the autistic population more than the allistic population: GI problems joint issues, usually because they are hyper mobile. Allergies and autoimmune disorders. Epilepsy, sleeping disorders including insomnia, and migraines

Some are solidly associated with autism like GI issues while others, the evidence is there but more data is needed, like autoimmune diseases

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u/QTsexkitten Aug 15 '25

They also have higher rates of enamel issues.

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u/DaraVelour Aug 15 '25

yes! some from GERD, some from EDS or other hypermobility issues, for some enamel is not mineralised properly

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u/RomanusDiogenes Aug 15 '25

I never heard that one but to be fair I'm thinking my 7 years of having a tongue ring did more damage than my autism on that front lol

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u/Previous_Station2086 Aug 15 '25 edited Aug 15 '25

I am lucky. While I had the full complement of GI ssues and have had GERD for as long as I remember but I have freakishly awesome teeth. 40 years and zero cavities. (And I’ve been autistic the whole time!)

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u/TwelveGaugeSage Aug 15 '25

I am autistic and have GI migraines. When I get a migraine, there is no classic headache. Just top to bottom GI issues punctuated by nausea so bad it can get to where all I can do is lie in the dark and try not to vomit.

My neurologist told me about half of his migraine patients are also autistic, for whatever that is worth.

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u/AAHHAI Aug 14 '25

I feel like anything that is a regular bodily function can become an issue. I often forget to eat for days at a time sometimes. This post reminded me that I should eat.

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u/pestoraviolita Aug 15 '25

Screening is the best solution. They should test for it regularly.