Health and Quality of Life in Middle-Aged and Older Autistic Adults

[@Lia-ih7qu]

I need to participate in some of these studies, more is needed on the middle aged population. I'm struggling now more than ever with trying to live independently, worse than when I was juggling a job even! I have no place to turn for help, no support, no understanding from the medical field of what's going on and what can be done to help me

[@mikemaj8467]

I hope the best for you my friend. I am a 53 m with autism that has struggled with depression and substance abuse. Life is a struggle but we are making progress. I have 35 years of documented treatment but feel my doctor's do not understand autism. I have no quality of life and believe I would benefit from not working and applying for SSDI, but cannot get assistance in any form even from doctors.

[@Lia-ih7qu]

@@mikemaj8467 you need to contact a lawyer to get help with getting SSD but it is a long difficult process. 😥

[@janmarbol2023]

Same here!

[@AREDEE365]

My grandpa I'm sure had autism (wasn't diagnosed). I have a lot of memories of him!

[@bestenglishtutor1]

I am so glad to find this video. thank you for the clip.

[@AREDEE365]

One thing I wish for myself and other autistic people is if we could have advocate who is also our therapist. And they help us go to appointments, etc. For example, I won't get a colonoscopy. I'm too afraid. So then I just don't go. What if I could have my therapist with me? Maybe then I could go. Also.. therapy is too expensive! Can it just be a free service or something?

[@janmarbol2023]

Very interesting data! Also, hats off to the speaker because she speaks clearly and has a good connection, which unfortunately, some of these webinars do not, and in my case, I have to stop listening because I lose interest.

[@nickglover9007]

The reduced longevity figure quoted here of up to two decades shorter is way out. The 2024 Lancet research report showed a reduced longevity rates was 6.5 years. For females was 8 years less. They also stated that these figures were possibly less {only 2-3 years less} if the data looked at larger numbers of diagnosed older people you get a pretty minimal longevity differences between them and non Autistic elders. Far too many older Autistic have missed a formal diagnosis. Quality of life for Autistic people is below what they should be. Services for older Autistics are very poor.

[@idlikemoreprivacy9716]

The Lancet also kept the fake data and crooked article from Wakefield for +10 years. That's not how you cite or present research: we need to see methods, data, potential conflicts of interest...