Autistics die a lot younger then the general population

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But one must remember that, with the possible exception of suicide, NT's have similar rates of much that was mentioned. Are we saying that NT's lifespan is reduced? I would guess that if nobody had any sort of disease, and only died of old age, the average lifespan would be in the 90's.

I have actually SEEN people with Cerebral Palsy who are still living in their 80's. And I'm talking about the one who are severely affected with it--enough to have to be fed with a tube.

My NT grandad died in his mid 40s. My NT mum died at 49. My NT dad died at 61. Both of my NT grandmothers died in their 80s and my NT Grandad was 91. I had many uncles and aunties and cousins die at all different ages from 20s to 70s.

I think it's good to know if ND people may face challenges in regards to health, and maybe work out a way to improve themselves where possible.

Knowledge is power.

I think we go when it's our time to go, but I am sure many won't agree.

Looking after yourself is the best thing you can do for yourself

So autism doesn't make a person vulnerable to cancer, right?

These are not entirely new findings. Other studies have turned up the shorter lifespan and increased contemplation of suicide. But these numbers, if accurate, are very grim. I'd have to re-look at all the related studies to get a better idea of how validated the findings are.

That said, I would not find them surprising. Stress is a killer. Whether the study is accurate or not, it is very worthwhile in the long run to try and minimalize your stress levels throughout your life, Aspie or NT.

As far as I know, uncomplicated autism does not make a person more likely to get cancer.

No, it doesn't.
Not all by itself.
Scientists will want proof of that; we don't have proof either way.

Please note the lifespan of all those famous people who supposed had autism through retrospective diagnosis.

Einstein lived a long life.
Newton lived a long life (and that was in the 17th Century, when many people didn't live long lives)
Thomas Jefferson lived to be 83. (Yes, there are a few people who see autism in him).

Bill Gates, another person speculated to have Aspergers/autism, as far as I know, hasn't had a serious illness in his life. He's getting up there.

I wonder if my doubts about science might have given the wrong impression.
Ergo, here's all about me: Irish Catholic (lazy), pro-vaccination, pro-LGBT, pro-choice, carefully pro-medicine (depends on the individual doctor), pro-acupuncture, pro-Grandma's cures to try before seeing doctor.
Uh, okay, I'll try to add that to my Profile but that isn't always possible.

I feel, in studies of this magnitude, that "autism" as a single entity should not even be considered exclusively in a study.

I believe all aspects of the Autism Spectrum should be considered separately.

Obviously, for example, Rett Syndrome (until DSM-V, it was considered an autism spectrum disorder), has a reduced lifespan.

Autism, accompanied by a genetic disorder such as Down Syndrome, could very well have a reduced lifespan. Down Syndrome is known to cause a reduced lifespan (though it has dramatically increased over this past generation).

Additionally, within such a study, other considerations must also be placed. Such as genetic predisposition towards something like breast or colon cancer. Or whether the study subjects smoked tobacco.

Correlation does not imply causation. IMHO autism does not cause or is at most partially responsible. It is the stress if bieng a small minority. Minorities especially ones that are descriminated against have more health problems and lower life expectancy. People that are poor have lower life expectency. That is why I expect further studies to confirm the findings of this study and autism to be blamed. I would not be surprised if Autism Speaks is planning a fund raising campaign around this.

In order for a study like this to have any credence, one must consider autism in its different degrees separately.

Here's a proposal for separate categories (it does not mean I believe wholeheartedly in these distinctions, nor do I believe IQ should be the basis for anything).

Because I believe life expectancy is determined by many factors other than autism, and I believe uncomplicated autism does not affect life expectancy (hypothesis, not what I believe is conclusively true).

1. Autism unaccompanied by genetic disorder -- IQ over 70
2. Autism accompanied by genetic disorder -- IQ below 70
3. Autism unaccompanied by genetic disorder -- IQ above 70
4. Autism accompanied by genetic disorder -- IQ below 70
5. Autism accompanied by past epilepsy, but no present epilepsy
6. Autism accompanied by present epilepsy
7. Autism accompanied by smoking (smoking is known to reduce lifespan)
8. Autism accompanied by family history of various types of cancers

Please let me emphasize: I do understand that stress could cause a reduced lifespan.

That goes across the board. NT's feeling extreme stress probably would have a reduced lifespan, too.

Then I think: What role does pure stress, whether caused by autism or not, versus autism itself, play in a reduced lifespan?

Sorry, didn't notice gender and I noticed you deleted your post that I quoted, I can't seem to edit it at this point, might wanna get a moderator to edit the quote in my post if you don't want that posted. I get it though, I get frustrated and kinda think about suicide but not really.

You get dismissed and insulted and shamed for having problems that aren't your fault like sensory issues. People when they know about them sometimes make loud noises to wind you up. We avoid people because they totally misunderstand us and we cant make friends. We get lonely and people shame us because we cant do as well as them. They have no clue what its like and the way other spectrumites put their own kind down to be ashamed if they cant do well too I'm not surprised we die young.

Its not just about autism awareness, people have heard of autism but nobody understands what it is. Its about time people knew about sensory issues and overload. They provide facilities for wheelchair users why not us? If were 1-2% of the population then people should adapt for sensory issues. I dont expect any major adaptations, just understanding like turning the volume down if we're getting a big headache and anxiety ovr a loud noise instead of acting angry at you and having a go at you for being fussy. If they one day had the same sensory issues they would react far worse than we do. We have had to experince this stuff for years.

Each would have to ask themselves how much of the stress they experience is autism (or co-morbid) related. Some have given examples above. As another example, much of the interpersonal stress I have experienced is related to people not understanding why I do not contact, visit, share time or activities them like others do. They often misread it as snobbishness, that I dislike them, etc, or they see it as odd/weird and I become an outsider and they directly or subtly mock me for it.

At least at first glance, for me, autism and the co-morbids I have account for a lot of the stress I have experienced, probably the lion share.

I've had the same sort of stuff happen to me.

I've felt stressed for many of the same reasons.

I've felt stressed for my own reasons, too.

To be honest, I really don't want to die. Not because I find life so great; but because I fear being stuck in utter darkness, and having no ability to remove myself from that darkness.

I feel I will live long because I fear death.