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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
Understanding The Link Between POTS and Autism
Many autistic individuals report experiences with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a disorder of the autonomic nervous system. Although there has been some research on comorbid autism and POTS, science is yet to reveal much about the two diagnoses’ relationship. However, we know that they have some overlapping features, and that people with either diagnosis can benefit from support strategies. Read on to learn more about what we know about POTS and autism.
Understanding Autism and Seizures: A Guide for Autistic Adults
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and seizures are two conditions that often overlap. Current research estimates that 26% of autistic individuals over the age of 13 also have epilepsy, compared to 1% of the non-autistic population. Understanding this link is crucial for improved diagnosis, care and quality of life.
While we know that there is a link between autism and seizures, particularly epileptic seizures, the reason for the link is still unclear. Since studies show that the siblings of autistic individuals are also more likely to have epilepsy, it’s hypothesized that epilepsy and ASD may share some of the same genetic markers. Further, up to 80% of autistic individuals, when given an EEG (a test that measures electrical activity in the brain), had abnormal results, even if they’d had no observable seizures. This means that both epilepsy and autism can cause abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
That said, while autistic people are more likely than neurotypical people to have epilepsy, and people with epilepsy are more likely to be autistic than someone without epilepsy, there is no research to suggest that one condition causes the other.
Recognizing and addressing seizures in autistic individuals can have a major impact on daily functioning, development and well-being. Awareness empowers families and professionals to seek appropriate interventions and advocate for supportive care strategies tailored to each person's needs. If you think you may have had a seizure, seek emergency medical care immediately and speak with your medical doctor, or physician about your concerns. The information provided below regarding seizures has not been reviewed for accuracy by a physician or medical provider and is not intended to serve as medical advice.
Navigating ARFID and Autism: Understanding the Connection
For most people, eating daily meals comes naturally. But for others, eating can be a daily source of stress, discomfort or even fear. Certain textures might feel unbearable, new foods might trigger anxiety or eating might simply not feel important. These experiences are real and valid, and they’re central to understanding avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).
ARFID is an eating disorder characterized by limited food intake or avoidance of food. It can be due to sensory sensitivities, fear of negative consequences (like choking or vomiting) or lack of interest in eating. ARFID was first classified in 2013 and differs from other eating disorders (like anorexia nervosa) in that it is not driven by body image concerns.
Approximately 1-5% of people have ARFID, but it’s much more common in autistic individuals than in the general population. There’s substantial overlap between ARFID and autism, and both are highly heritable. Many autistic individuals have unique relationships with food sensory sensitivities, strong preferences and a desire for routines, which are also traits commonly associated with ARFID.
About 1 in 5 autistic individuals (and a similar number of their parents) have avoidant-restrictive eating traits, and about 1 in 10 meet the full criteria for ARFID. Among individuals who have an ARFID diagnosis, approximately 8% to 55% are also autistic. More than half of individuals with ARFID have other co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, depression, sleep disorders or learning differences.
ARFID has three main subtypes, which often overlap:
- Sensory-based avoidance: This involves strong aversions to specific sensory characteristics of food such as texture, taste, smell, temperature or appearance. Individuals may eat only foods that feel safe and avoid many others based on sensory discomfort.
- Fear-based avoidance: Eating is restricted due to fear of negative consequences such as choking, vomiting, allergic reactions or pain. These fears may begin after a traumatic food-related event, or they may develop on their own over time.
- Low interest in eating: This is sometimes called “lack of interest” and involves low appetite, feeling full after eating only a small amount of food or a general indifference to food. Eating may feel like a chore, and individuals may forget to eat or feel overwhelmed by the demands of mealtimes.
These subtypes are not mutually exclusive, and many people with ARFID experience a combination of them.
