Individuals with autism have a lower life expectancy, anywhere between to 36 – 54 years of age versus 72 years of age for neurotypical peers. 

During the study period, 1367 deaths (1043 males and 324 females) in individuals with autism were recorded in the United States. The mean age at death for individuals with autism was 36.2 years (SD = 20.9 years), compared with 72.0 years (SD = 19.2 years) for the general population. Of the deaths in individuals with autism, 381 (27.9%) were attributed to injury (PMR = 2.93; 95% CI = 2.64, 3.24) 

Guan J, Li G. Injury Mortality in Individuals With Autism. Am J Public Health. 2017 May;107(5):791-793. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2017.303696. Epub 2017 Mar 21. PMID: 28323463; PMCID: PMC5388960. 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28323463/ 

The Autism Knowledge Gateway has x# of studies, which include influences on life expectancy. 

A seizure is the most common neurological condition in children, with a prevalence of more than 4%. Epilepsy occurs in 2-3% of the general population, and reportedly in 25-40% of individuals on the autism spectrum. 

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute. (2020, June 16). Seizures and autism spectrum disorder | CHOP research institute. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute. https://research.chop.edu/car-autism-roadmap/seizures-and-autism-spectrum-disorder  

The Autism Knowledge Gateway has x# of studies on the topic of seizures. 

Sleep problems affect between 50% and 80% of children with autism and about half of adolescents with autism, which is higher than rates for typically developing youth.  Nearly 80% of with autism experience sleep disturbances. 

Summer, J., & Adavadkar, Dr. P. (2023, June 22). Autism and sleep issues. Autism and Sleep. Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/physical-health/autism-and-sleep#:~:text=Sleep%20problems%20affect%20between%2050%25%20and%2080%25%20of,80%25%20of%20adults%20with%20autism%20experience%20sleep%20disturbances.  

The Autism Knowledge Gateway has x# of studies on the topic of sleep and sleep disturbances. 

Children with ASD have nearly four times higher odds of having unmet health care needs compared to children without disabilities. 

Autism Speaks. (n.d.). Accessing comprehensive health care. Autism Speaks. https://www.autismspeaks.org/advocacy-priorities-accessing-comprehensive-health-care 

The Autism Knowledge Gateway has x# of studies, which include a discussion on unmet healthcare needs. 

While gastrointestinal (GI) complaints are common among children in general, the prevalence of these issues is reportedly more than 4-fold higher among children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Rodriguez, T. (2024, May 28). The gut-brain connection: Understanding GI symptoms in autism spectrum disorders. Gastroenterology Advisor. https://www.gastroenterologyadvisor.com/features/the-gut-brain-connection-understanding-gi-symptoms-in-autism-spectrum-disorders/

The Autism Knowledge Gateway has x# of studies on the topic of GI issues.

In a 2018 study published in the Journal of Autism and Development Disorders, researchers concluded that among ASD children between the ages of 4 and 8 years old, over 95% had at least one co-occurring condition/symptom. 

Soke GN, Maenner MJ, Christensen D, Kurzius-Spencer M, Schieve LA. Prevalence of Co-occurring Medical and Behavioral Conditions/Symptoms Among 4- and 8-Year-Old Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Selected Areas of the United States in 2010. J Autism Dev Disord. 2018 Aug;48(8):2663-2676. doi: 10.1007/s10803-018-3521-1. PMID: 29524016; PMCID: PMC6041136. 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29524016/#:~:text=Over%2095%25%20of%20children%20had,at%20least%20one%20co-occurring%20condition%2Fsymptom  

The Autism Knowledge Gateway has x# of studies, which include a discussion on co-occurring symptoms. 

Joseph Guan and Guohua Li, 2017: Injury Mortality in Individuals With Autism American Journal of Public Health 107, 791_793, https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2017.303696 

https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/AJPH.2017.303696  

The Autism Knowledge Gateway has x# of studies, which include a discussion on injury mortality. 

PANDAS, a common comorbidity, can be more challenging to diagnose in children with who have autism because of the overlap in clinical presentation. 1 in 200 children are diagnosed with PANDAS and while PANDAS does not occur more often in autistic children, it may be more difficult to recognize in a child with autism – due to overlapping symptoms. 

PANS/PANDAS patients are commonly misdiagnosed with Autism, Tourette’s Syndrome, OCD, bipolar disorder, ADHD, Oppositional Defiance, or an eating disorder. However, PANS/PANDAS patients can have co-occurring conditions of Autism, ADHD, autoimmune illnesses, immunodeficiencies, and more.  

“PANS and PANDAS are sometimes misdiagnosed as OCD, Tourette’s syndrome, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, anorexia, and other psychiatric disorders. The presence of obsessive rituals and interests, rigidity around routines, and impaired eye contact may be confused with ASD in young children. Pediatricians should consider the possibility of PANS and PANDAS for any child who presents with sudden changes in behavior or mood.” Casoli Reardon, MD, MCPAP Medical Director and Pediatric Liaison, MGH for Children at North Shore Medical Center. 

True, G. (2022, March 30). Autism and Pans Pandas & Handout. Aspire.https://aspire.care/families-parents-caregivers/autism-and-pans-pandas/ 

The Autism Knowledge Gateway has x# of studies on the topic of PANS & PANDA.