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Little Champs ABA > Autism > What is the Leading Cause of Death in Autism?

What is the Leading Cause of Death in Autism?

A person in black funeral attire resting a hand on a wooden casket topped with white flowers.

If you’ve found this page, you may be carrying a very heavy question — one that many families are afraid to ask out loud. We want to acknowledge that first. This is hard, and it matters that you’re looking for answers.

This is a hard topic, and it’s one many families are afraid to ask about. Autism itself does not cause death. 

However, research shows that accidents—especially drowning—are the leading cause of death in autistic children, while health-related conditions become more common risks in adulthood.

📌 If you or someone you know is in crisis right now, please reach out for support: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988 (available 24/7, free and confidential) Crisis Text Line — text HOME to 741741

Understanding these risks isn’t about fear. It’s about prevention, safety, and support.

Why accidental deaths are higher in autism

Many autistic individuals experience challenges that can increase safety risks, especially at younger ages. These risks are not due to autism itself, but to how autism can affect awareness, communication, and behavior.

Common contributing factors include:

Among accidents, drowning is the most common cause, particularly for autistic children who wander and are drawn to pools, lakes, or other bodies of water.

A peer-reviewed study published in the American Journal of Public Health (Guan et al.) found that children with autism are 160 times as likely to die from drowning as the general pediatric population.

The same study, which screened over 32 million U.S. death certificates, found that deaths in autistic individuals were three times more likely to be caused by injuries than in the general population. Drowning, suffocation, and asphyxiation together accounted for nearly 80% of injury-related deaths in autistic children.

A 2023 systematic review published in Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders — which synthesized 26 studies — found that autistic individuals had at least twice the risk of dying compared to the general population, with females with ASD at even greater risk than males.

Nearly half (49%) of autistic children have attempted to elope from safe environments — four times the rate of children with other developmental disabilities — making elopement and water safety planning a critical priority for every family.

Other health-related risks in autistic individuals

As autistic individuals get older, health-related causes become more relevant. These can include:

  • Seizure-related complications
  • Respiratory and cardiovascular conditions
  • Mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression

It is also important to name something directly: suicide is a significant cause of premature death among autistic adults, and it is one of the most underrecognized safety risks in this community.

A 2024 meta-analysis published in Psychiatry Research (Santomauro et al.), which included over 10.4 million people across 10 studies, found that autistic individuals have a 2.85 times higher relative risk of dying by suicide compared to the general population. Research from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) also indicates that approximately 1 in 3 autistic individuals reports suicidal ideation, and between 15–25% report suicide attempts.

Unlike in the general population, research has not found significant sex differences in suicide risk among autistic people — meaning autistic females and males face similarly elevated risk.

Factors that research has linked to elevated suicide risk in autistic adults include social isolation and loneliness, unmet support needs, camouflaging or masking autistic traits, anxiety and depression, and delays in receiving a diagnosis.

If you are supporting an autistic teenager or adult who may be struggling, please do not navigate this alone. Crisis support is available:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 🔹 Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741

AFSP Autism & Suicide resources: afsp.org/autism-and-suicide

These risks highlight the importance of ongoing medical care, mental health support, and early intervention across the lifespan.

What parents and caregivers can do

The goal is not to worry—but to prepare and protect.

Prioritize safety planning

Simple steps can dramatically reduce risk:

  • Secure doors, gates, and pools
  • Use alarms or tracking devices if wandering is a concern
  • Enroll children in swim lessons as early as possible — researchers specifically recommend swimming instruction shortly after an autism diagnosis is received
  • Teach water safety early
  • Supervise closely near traffic or water

The National Autism Association’s Big Red Safety Toolkit offers free, printable resources specifically designed for autistic children and families navigating elopement and safety planning.

Teach safety and communication skills

Many safety risks decrease when children learn how to:

  • Ask for help
  • Respond to their name
  • Follow basic safety rules
  • Communicate discomfort or fear

These skills can be taught and reinforced over time.

Address behavior proactively

When behaviors like wandering, impulsivity, or lack of safety awareness are present, addressing them early matters. Teaching replacement behaviors and increasing supervision during high-risk situations can save lives.

Support Mental Health Throughout the Lifespan

Safety planning for autistic individuals should not stop in childhood. As autistic individuals move into adolescence and adulthood, mental health support becomes a vital part of long-term wellbeing.

This includes:

– Connecting with a mental health professional experienced with autism – Watching for signs of anxiety, depression, or withdrawal – Creating open conversations about emotional wellbeing at home – Knowing what to do — and who to call — if a crisis arises

For autistic teenagers and adults, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) is a free, 24/7 resource. Researchers are actively working to improve how 988 counselors support autistic callers, and guidance is available at afsp.org to help autistic individuals and their families know what to expect before reaching out.

How ABA therapy supports safety and independence

ABA therapy plays a key role in reducing dangerous behaviors and building life-saving skills. Support may focus on:

  • Reducing wandering behaviors
  • Teaching functional communication
  • Improving response to safety cues
  • Building self-regulation and awareness

Early, consistent support helps children gain more independence while staying safe.

At Little Champs ABA, we believe that understanding risks is the first step toward prevention—and that families shouldn’t have to navigate this alone. We focus on building communication, safety awareness, and daily living skills that help autistic children stay safe while gaining independence.

We proudly support families with individualized ABA services in Colorado and Utah, offering flexible options to meet children where they are:

If you have concerns about safety, wandering, or risky behaviors, we’re here to help. Reach out to Little Champs ABA today and let’s work together to build skills that protect your child now — and support their future.

If you or your child is in crisis, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, free and confidential.

FAQs

Does autism itself cause early death?

No. Autism does not cause death. Increased risk is linked to preventable accidents and health-related conditions, not autism itself.

Why is drowning so common in autistic children?

Many autistic children are drawn to water and may wander without understanding danger, making close supervision and safety measures critical.

Can therapy reduce safety risks?

Yes. Therapy can teach communication, safety awareness, and behaviors that significantly reduce risk.

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