Health and Disability

Adults on the spectrum have higher rates of health conditions ranging from seizure disorders and depression to hypertension, high cholesterol, allergies and anxiety, according to findingspublished recently in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

For the study, researchers looked at 255 adults with autism ages 18 to 71 and a similar group of typically-developing individuals.

Seizure disorders were eight times more common in young adults with autism ages 18 to 29 as compared to others the same age. And, that differential doubled for those over 40, the study found.

Meanwhile, the research suggests that rates of hypertension and depression are more than twice as high among young adults on the spectrum. However, those with autism were less likely to have sexually transmitted diseases, use tobacco or abuse alcohol.