BEACON TRANSCRIPT – A new milestone study on autism spectrum disorder unveiled several disheartening and shocking facts about those who suffer from the disease. According to this new study, which has performed by a team of Swedish scientists, patients who are autistic have a lower life expectancy, suicide and epilepsy being the two most common death causes.

The study in question was carried out by the Karolinska Institute, from Sweden. Doctor Tatja Hirvikoski, the lead author of the study, said that these new findings are shocking and disheartening for those who suffer from this malady.

Moreover, the doctor and her team made a point to convey a warning to Autistica, a charity from the United Kingdom, dedicated to helping people suffering from autism spectrum disorder. Dubbed one of the largest autism NGOs in the world, Autistica was more than appalled to hear the results of this new inquiry.

The Swedish study pointed out that people suffering from autism spectrum disorder live 16 years less than people who do not suffer from this disease. Furthermore, as the new study indicates, patients with autism frequently have more than one associated conditions.

According to the recent survey, more than once percent of UK’s population is suffering from autism. This means that approximately 700.000 people from the UK are in dire need of care since the disease impedes one’s ability to communicate or share thoughts with others.

Moreover, the study has also pointed out that the life expectancy of those who suffer from autism is very small. Doctor Hirvikoski reported that the average age of death for those suffering from autism is 39 years old and that people who suffer from this condition tend to die 16 to 30 years earlier than most people.

It would seem that the two leading causes of death among autistic patients are epilepsy and suicide. Presently, the science community is quite oblivious when it comes to establishing a direct connection between epilepsy and autism.

To this extent, Autistica, the charity, plans on raising approximately 10 million pounds over the next five years in order to conduct in-depth research on epilepsy and autism.

Quoting the same study, it would seem that less than 15 percent of autistic patients, who don’t suffer from mental disabilities, find employment. The same study pointed out that more than 25 percent of patients are either unable or unwilling to share even a single word.

Moreover, it would seem that neither the patients suffering from the milder forms of autism are not spared. The Swedish study pointed out that patients who did not have any mental disabilities die 12 years earlier than other, heart disease and suicide being quoted as prime factors.

Jon Spiers, the head of Autistica declared in a press interview that the matters uncovered by the Swedish study are shocking, to say the least and that more research is needed in order to see how we can help people suffering from this condition.

Photo credits:flickr