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Autism and Related Conditions Resources: Connections, Challenges, and Care
Autism often exists alongside other conditions, known as co-occurring conditions, which can affect physical health, mental well-being, and daily functioning. Understanding the relationship between autism and these conditions is essential for providing comprehensive care and support. This resource page delves into the most common co-occurring conditions, such as social anxiety, ADHD, OCD, and more. Here, you’ll find insights into how these conditions interact with autism, strategies for management, and resources to help individuals and families navigate these complex challenges with confidence and compassion.
Recent Articles
Alexithymia and Autism
Everyone will, at some point in their lives, find themselves at a loss for words when describing how they’re feeling. When it occurs on occasion, it’s human nature. However, if the challenge to name or express emotions is a prevailing theme in someone’s life, it may be a sign of alexithymia. While primary alexithymia is relatively uncommon, the odds of having alexithymia traits are much higher in autistic people.
OCD and Autism: Understanding the Differences, Overlaps, and Support Options
Having autism and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can be confusing for people with both conditions, especially because there are so many similarities between OCD and autism. It can also be a puzzle for people trying to figure out if they have autism or OCD.
However, overlapping traits, such as repetitive behaviors, can sometimes lead to an overall misunderstanding of the support people with these co-occurring conditions may need. This is mainly because although the characteristics of both autism and OCD are alike, the underlying reasons behind those behaviors are rather different.
As with autism, people with an OCD diagnosis are considered neurodivergent because they respond to the world differently than neurotypical individuals.
No matter where you are in your journey toward understanding OCD and autism (whether you’re considering an evaluation or have recently received a diagnosis), this article unpacks the differences between these conditions, as well as where they overlap. In addition, we’ll discuss understanding what it means to have both autism and OCD, as well as the supports available to you.
Understanding AuDHD: What It Is and How to Get Support
YouTube educator Chris was a child when he was first diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but he didn’t get his autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis until he was in his 40s. Like many people who have recently received this dual diagnosis, he’s only now truly learning what it means to be “AuDHD”. This includes an acute awareness of the tension and overlap of traits and how to manage their impact.
"AuDHD is when somebody has co-occurring diagnoses of both autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),” says Jacqueline Shinall, PsyD, Quality Control and Reliability Lead Psychologist at Prosper Health.
And in true neurodivergent fashion, Chris is learning everything he can about the management of AuDHD. As the cofounder of Audicate, an educational vlog about managing Autism and ADHD, he makes popular videos that teach others about what it’s like to live with both disorders.
“AuDHD isn’t a rare overlap—it’s much more common than anyone realized prior to the dual diagnosis,” says Chris. “But diagnostic data is going to take time to catch up to that. And when you don’t know you’re both, you can end up blaming yourself for contradictions: ‘Why do I want change but resist it? Why am I both restless and rigid?’ Understanding both diagnoses brings compassion and clarity.”
As awareness grows and diagnostic criteria evolve, more and more people are being diagnosed with both conditions.
That’s why, if you have been diagnosed with Autism and ADHD, or suspect you might be an AuDHDer it’s essential to understand the overlaps and interactions between the characteristics. Because just as these traits will manifest differently for every autistic and ADHD individual, the same goes for people with AuDHD.
It’s like if you were to give yellow and blue paint to a group of children and tell them to make green—every shade will be different. And your unique shade will inform what level of support you need and the accommodation strategies that will help you thrive.
Whatever stage of your neurodivergent journey you’re at, Prosper Health can help.
