Autistic life expectancy - shocking statistics. Autism: One-Take Talks

[@Green_Roc]

The physical strain I am constantly under, in order to obey the neurotypicals, is so much I have to take pain meds for the muscle strain. The expectations for my behavior are dominating my access to food, clothing shelter, and lego... I wish they understood the compiled damages they are doing to my body by expecting me to strain myself so much... to "behave". It makes me sick.

[@Green_Roc]

Me denied dental care because of a meltdown from not being listened to. Denied medical care because I was in a meltdown and... yeah. Cant seem to get most people to ignore the traumatic panic when I feel rejected for my unacceptable behavior.

[@autiejedi5857]

I think the medical establishment contributes as well. They don't take our physical issues seriously.

[@schulhausgarten1371]

I´d second that. I´ve experienced it several times that medical personnel did not believe in what I said because I, presumably, didn´t describe my pains in a way they expected me to describe it. Somehow I´m still here.

[@sianchild]

I try to explain this to the people who think that the adjustments I ask for are me being picky - my life is literally going to be shorter because of the autism I'm not just being demanding!

[@basslinedan2]

It's a pretty strong argument. As Peter says, an average difference of 20 years is stark.

[@user-eg8ht4im6x]

I’m 62 so ‘survived’ longer but I attempted suicide several times almost dying on one occasion, so I can fully understand this fact. Also the NHS and doctors in general do not understand and most of my needs are never met, I can’t explain how I feel, so it all gets wiped under the table and I get ignored.

[@marcse7en]

I'm almost 62 and ditto!

[@grazynareginia342]

My son's heart stopped after attempting to end... came back after 10min of RCP ...30 days ago 😢😢😢 and tried again 😢. Now in mental unit 😮😢. Lord have mercy 🙏

[@turtleanton6539]

Yes indeed😊

[@JanneGlass]

Just finished listening to Untypical and wanted to let you know I think you did an amazing job there. I’ve had my diagnosis for 6 years and related to almost every topic and experience you talk about. Some parts also hit me quite hard because I know the feelings and it makes me sad to hear you had very similar experiences. But your telling about failing to notice when being flirted with made me smile 😁 Because I was there, years ago on Twitter, talking to you and trying to flirt with you because I had a small crush on you. But you weren’t interested, I thought. Which might very well have been - and was probably - the case but it didn’t occur to me you maybe didn’t even notice 😂 Thank you for your advocacy. I am truly grateful for all the autistics putting themselves, their stories and their energy out there to advocate for all of us. I wish I had the spoons and the eloquence to do so as well.

[@Mrflippyfloop]

This really resonated with me. I’m 48 and find the world more difficult as I get older, thought it would be the other way round. Not sure what the solution is?

[@NotAyFox]

Me too. I'm 47 and I'm rally struggling now. Considerably more than I have 20+ years ago. My stress levels are through the roof and I'm just so very very tired, mentally and emotionally. I need to make some drastic adjustments very soon, or I will end up part of that statistic.

[@turtleanton6539]

Enjoy your rest and special interest it will fuel your will to live😊😅

[@martinkaczynski8526]

Very true, it definitely fuels mine.@@turtleanton6539

[@KellyRVaden]

I'm turning 40 this year too! Yes, our nervous systems take a beating. Thank you for sharing this.

[@turtleanton6539]

Indeed we do

[@AnnInghamlife-goals]

Thanks for this. I've worked in the NHS most of my life. Its only recently that awareness of neurodiversity has become a thing. Even now there are lots of staff who know nothing. I applaud your efforts.

[@CitronChary]

I am late diagnosed and have reached the average life expectancy. I fully concur with your description of the reasons why the life expectancy is so low. In fact, it would be useful if the statistics provided cause of death in order to get more focus on the reasons.

[@turtleanton6539]

Indeed 😊

[@Balloburn]

This is a shocking statistic. I read about this from a study done in Sweden. Thanks for highlighting this Pete.

[@marcse7en]

Although undiagnosed as a child, and my doctor wasn't any help in adulthood, I'm self-diagnosed, and approaching 62. I suspect my father may have been on the spectrum. He died aged 90 in 2022. I really can't understand all this life expectancy stuff in connection with autism? My health has deteriorated a lot, and there's a reason for that. Bullied since being a small child, beaten by my father, at 43 I ended up living alone in a Housing Association flat. My landlord has DESTROYED the last 19 years of my life. I was victimised the day I set foot in this flat, when the druggie next-door stole my TV set. Over 19 years I've suffered theft, verbal abuse, threats of violence, assaults, death threats, drink and drug fuelled antisocial behaviour, even multiple arson! But it gets worse ....... Instead of supporting me, in 2022, my landlord took me to court, blaming EVERYTHING on me! ... I almost lost my home! But it gets worse still ....... In 2024, my landlord took me to court again, and is currently trying to have me "committed to prison!" My crime? Using more than 200 words in an email! ... Yes, you read that correctly! I've never done anything wrong in my life. If I go to prison, and signs are I will, then I will DIE in prison!

[@grazynareginia342]

Lord Jesus Christ have mercy 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 Stay blessed ❤

[@paxundpeace9970]

Life expectancy is an average out of many people. Some people die early others later. Normal life expectancy is around 80 years. For people with autism is likely around 65 to 70 on average. It is a distribution of age in year at death for example like this: 20 55 64 82 72 66 35 78 79 73 of it the average is calculate this average is likely lower then 70.

[@paxundpeace9970]

They don't gone put you in prison what the crime and not being able to pay your bills will if only result in a few day or week of detention consult with a soliciter and tell the judge that you have autism the have to make an accessment and make accomadation

[@marcse7en]

@@paxundpeace9970 I'm 62, so I won't bother making any long-term plans then? 🤣

[@Handle_Is_Not_Necessary]

Really appreciate this, Pete. Thanks for mentioning in your book that you're on KZbin - I had no idea but I'm glad it's not just me who's passionate about this. We just need our voices to be loud enough.

[@simoncrabb]

Just turned 49. Just been diagnosed. Life expectancy is terrifying.

[@gothboschincarnate3931]

I guess you don't get out much...If at all.

[@paxundpeace9970]

You have made it 49 years. That's a long time. Keep at it remind your self to help other near and close to you. They will get around be around for you too.

[@transponderings]

You’re absolutely right, Pete: this should be a scandal. I’m one of the lucky ones, having already exceeded life expectancy for Autistic people in the UK. My younger brother (schizophrenic and I suspect Autistic) wasn’t so lucky: he took his own life at 21.

[@CaptainBravo87]

I thought about suicide several times since I was a child. The only thing that stopped me is the fear of Hell.

[@sarahodom7091]

Same here.

[@turtleanton6539]

Great video 🎉🎉🎉😮

[@JosipJasenović]

What if you passed away sooner and no more in postion of pondering, let alone panicking?

[@pkwork]

You are doing things for us, one by one. Never doubt that. In my 70s here, my generation either institutionalized or never diagnosed. Both of those skewed the statistics. Either the institutionalization killed us early, or no one noticed (or notices still). The stress is a huge risk, if we don't commit suicide, we take high risks because we just come to not care about our own wellbeing. All you say here is true

[@tafua_a]

I've been fortunate enough to not know an autistic person who took their own life. But I know one that tried, know many that thought about it, I used to think about it all the time in my teenage years. Even at 23 it was so prevalent in my mind that when I did a series of theatre-therapy sittings, when it was time to "let our inner judge speak" everyone was horrified when it was my turn. I'm better now, I wanna live out of pure spite lol

[@edranetz]

I lost my job/career twice. I worked at the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection for 13.5 years. I lost my job in a budgetary layoff. I worked for the University of Massachusetts Boston for 13.5 years. I lost that job also in a budgetary layoff. I had blood pressures a few times of 200/125 once when I was diagnosed at 40 with high blood pressure and once the end of August. I lost my brother Patrick in 1977 when he was 20. I lost my only other sibling Michael in 2011. I lost my Dad in 2013. I lost my Mom in 2018. I lost my cat Penelope in 2020. I was diagnosed with skin cancer and had surgery in 2023. I am No Evidence of Disease now. I am 58 and a 1/2.

[@cheralyse1352]

Excellent video in "bringing home" to neuro typicals exactley what their neuro diverse friends experience. Thank you.

[@RoundSparrow]

I nominate this video as the humanist award of 2023! The best Autism teaching I've seen! Used to work for Paul Allen, and Elon Musk needs help!

[@cheralyse1352]

Tell me something . . . is there not a medication to help with the meltdowns???

[@derrickpendarvis8916]

My guess is that the lower functioning and those suffering from mental illness are dragging down the average life space.

[@DJ-Daz]

The Aussies published a study a few years ago, they found the life expectancy to be 54 for males and 56 for females. I turned 54 three weeks ago. Anxiety peak reached. www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Autism/autism/Report

[@paxundpeace9970]

54 you will be around for decades. 54 is an average.