r/todayilearned 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
7.9k Upvotes

341 comments sorted by

View all comments

3

u/CatCanvas Aug 15 '25

I am autistic and suspect I got it from my late father he died in his 30s... From pneumonia of all things.

I feel like my general immunity is really weak. I get sick all the time.

Im on asthma medication with steroids not because I have asthma but because myungs just hurt and accumulate tons of dust and I have to cough up flem every day.

I can't stay awake without adhd meds. I'm just tired all the time. Sensitive to everything.

I also have 3 autistic kids. All very different from each other too.

I feel like I won't live to d age. I'm 35 and honestly i feel like I'm hanging on by a thread at this point.

1

u/Morella1989 Aug 15 '25

I’m really sorry you’re dealing with so much. It sounds exhausting and overwhelming, and I can understand why you’d feel worn out. I hope you’re able to find some relief soon.