What Is It Like to Age with Autism?
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What Is It Like to Age with Autism?
"Middle-aged and older autistic people have higher rates of most health conditions — from mood disorders and sleep problems to gastrointestinal conditions and heart disease — compared to non-autistic people. About 20% have three or more mental health conditions. “This points toward autistic people having more complex needs than the general population and requiring continued care from general practitioners and specialist older adult services as they age,” Stewart said."
Though middle age has brought me some perks in life, along with my autistic brain, the aging issue seems like a struggle.
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What Is It Like to Age with Autism?
"Middle-aged and older autistic people have higher rates of most health conditions — from mood disorders and sleep problems to gastrointestinal conditions and heart disease — compared to non-autistic people. About 20% have three or more mental health conditions. “This points toward autistic people having more complex needs than the general population and requiring continued care from general practitioners and specialist older adult services as they age,” Stewart said."
Though middle age has brought me some perks in life, along with my autistic brain, the aging issue seems like a struggle.
@Mepurfield
I could tell you about my experience of growing old while autistic. I have all those problems together.
And that's because in addition to autism I have mixed bipolar syndrome and explosive type impulse control disorder. In addition to autoimmune and metabolic disorders, autoimmune hypothyroidism, diabetes, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, autoimmune neurogenic deafness.
Perhaps the worst part is the gastrointestinal and sleep problems. It's always been difficult for me to sleep well, and now it's even worse. I sleep an average of 4 hours a night, 5 hours if I'm lucky. And I'm always very tired and in a very bad mood.
Edit: I'm 63 years old but it feels like 120.
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What Is It Like to Age with Autism?
"Middle-aged and older autistic people have higher rates of most health conditions — from mood disorders and sleep problems to gastrointestinal conditions and heart disease — compared to non-autistic people. About 20% have three or more mental health conditions. “This points toward autistic people having more complex needs than the general population and requiring continued care from general practitioners and specialist older adult services as they age,” Stewart said."
Though middle age has brought me some perks in life, along with my autistic brain, the aging issue seems like a struggle.
@Mepurfield
Of course what doesn't help with any understanding, or lack thereof, is that what information there is only comes from known autistics. Given the demographic and increasing rates of underdiagnoses as you go back in time, it's entirely possible that this is a rather small minority of those of us coming into this stage of our life. -
@Mepurfield
Of course what doesn't help with any understanding, or lack thereof, is that what information there is only comes from known autistics. Given the demographic and increasing rates of underdiagnoses as you go back in time, it's entirely possible that this is a rather small minority of those of us coming into this stage of our life.@pathfinder @Mepurfield But isn't it also the minority that has had care available to them? And has survived that far? I haven't had any help in my first 40 years.
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@pathfinder @Mepurfield But isn't it also the minority that has had care available to them? And has survived that far? I haven't had any help in my first 40 years.
@snoopy_jay @Mepurfield
This is very true. But that is one of the things that could cause problems.
It could mean that we are more resistant to asking for and being prepared to accept, the help that we need.
The help available might not be as geared towards our needs and abilities to still manage many things for ourselves.
Expectations of what to expect may not be representative of what we maybe more likely to experience. -
@snoopy_jay @Mepurfield
This is very true. But that is one of the things that could cause problems.
It could mean that we are more resistant to asking for and being prepared to accept, the help that we need.
The help available might not be as geared towards our needs and abilities to still manage many things for ourselves.
Expectations of what to expect may not be representative of what we maybe more likely to experience.@pathfinder @Mepurfield I'm actually not even sure if the article IS only talking about the diagnosed minority. It looks like I would have to watch the webinar to see where their numbers come from.
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@pathfinder @Mepurfield I'm actually not even sure if the article IS only talking about the diagnosed minority. It looks like I would have to watch the webinar to see where their numbers come from.
@snoopy_jay @Mepurfield
It would certainly be nice if for a change it was taking into account the self-diagnosed. But realistically you can only get data from those who know to provide it. -
@Mepurfield
I could tell you about my experience of growing old while autistic. I have all those problems together.
And that's because in addition to autism I have mixed bipolar syndrome and explosive type impulse control disorder. In addition to autoimmune and metabolic disorders, autoimmune hypothyroidism, diabetes, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, autoimmune neurogenic deafness.
Perhaps the worst part is the gastrointestinal and sleep problems. It's always been difficult for me to sleep well, and now it's even worse. I sleep an average of 4 hours a night, 5 hours if I'm lucky. And I'm always very tired and in a very bad mood.Edit: I'm 63 years old but it feels like 120.
Damn. That’s quite a list. Hope it doesn’t bring your spirits down to often.
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Damn. That’s quite a list. Hope it doesn’t bring your spirits down to often.
@Mepurfield
Well, sometimes it does, but I'm used to it. You develop a tolerance threshold for discomfort. Besides, I seem to be unbreakable; my body, my bones, and my organs withstand pressure and stress at abnormal levels, I suppose due to a kind of training based on enduring illnesses and discomforts my whole life. -
R relay@relay.infosec.exchange shared this topic
