It is said in various publications that autism does not affect life expectancy. I do not believe this to be the case. Seizures and accidents (e.g., traffic collisions, drowning) expose autistic individuals to increased mortality. According to a Danish study that followed 340 individuals from adolescent through adulthood, the death rate is twice as high among autism spectrum disorder individuals as in the general population (Mouridsen et al., 2008). In this particular study cause of death varied according to age. Epilepsy-related deaths were more common in younger individuals while diseases of the circulatory system were more common among older individuals. This and other studies (Bilder et al., 2013) have surveyed cases of autism of unknown cause (so-called idiopathic autism) but have not included those that are syndromic (those where the underlying cause/pathology is known). Many cases of syndromic autism are destined to progressively deteriorate and die during childhood. Although this is only a very small percentage of autistic patients, the significance of their plight can only be underscored by imagining that the child affected is your own.
There are drugs available in clinical trials that may be effective in the treatment of some syndromic forms of autism. However, the clinical trial process by which the FDA approves drugs is a lengthy one. In a phase I trial drugs are tested to determine whether they are safe and to establish appropriate dose-ranging. In a phase II trial the safety and efficacy of a drug is tested. A phase III trial involves testing a large population of individuals in order for the trial to gain statistical power thus allowing us to judge the efficacy of the therapeutic response. According to current FDA rules only patients enrolled in these trials can receive the medication. It may thus take a large number of years to get a promising drug approved. However, in many cases, time is a luxury that a dying patient can’t afford. There are many tragic cases of individuals dying several months before a lifesaving drug was approved by the FDA (http://delonline.us/1K13FqL ). In these instances the patients and relatives knew of the existence of these drugs but were stonewalled by various agencies in their effort to obtain them.
Last year 5 states passed Right-to-Try legislation (Arizona, Colorado, Louisiana, Missouri and Michigan). This year 27 states are already considering passing legislation on the subject. Most Right-to-Try advocates promote the use of drugs that have passed safety trials (phase I) for terminally ill individuals. However, instead of having to pass through a cumbersome process asking permission from the FDA to use the drugs for “compassionate care”, it is believed that they should be able to decide with their own physicians what avenues to pursue regarding their own health. It is difficult enough having to deal with somebody dear to you who is dying. Coping is a lot harder when government bureaucracy ties your hands and allows you only to watch the process.
It is likely that only a few individuals will benefit from the Right-to-Try legislation. In many other cases death is to be expected even if they receive the experimental drug or therapy. However, without legislation, the knowledge that you could have done something for your loved one and were thwarted in your attempt, will live forever.
References
Bilder D, et al. Excess mortality and causes of death in autism spectrum disorders: a follow up of the 1980s Utah/UCLA autism epidemiologic study. J Autism Dev Disord 43(5):1196-204, 2013.
Mouridsen SE, et al. Mortality and causes of death in autism spectrum disorders: an update. Autism 12(4):403-14, 2008