Autism plus an Additional Condition or Conditions​
1. Co-occurring conditions: People with autism often have additional medical, mental health, or behavioral health conditions that are clinically diagnosed. This is quite common and can include:
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Clinical depression
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"Generalized Anxiety Disorder" or GAD
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"Sensory Processing Disorder" or SPD
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"Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder" or ADHD
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"Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder" or OCD
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Bipolar disorder
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Eating disorders
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Epilepsy
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Gastrointestinal (GI) issues or "gut" issues
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Sleeping issues or "disorder"
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Intellectual Disability
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Specified Language Condition
2. Overlapping symptoms: Some of these conditions may have symptoms that overlap with autism, which can make diagnosis challenging. For example, social anxiety might be mistaken for the social difficulties associated with autism.
3. Diagnostic process: The order of diagnosis can vary. Sometimes the co-occurring condition is diagnosed first, and autism is identified later, or vice versa. This can depend on which symptoms are most prominent or concerning at the time of initial evaluation.
4. Terminology:
- "Co-morbidity" is a clinical term used to describe the presence of one or more additional conditions co-occurring with a primary condition. "Morbidity" technically refers to the state of being diseased or unhealthy within a population. It is often used to describe the frequency or rate of occurrence of a disease or health condition within a specific population.
- "Co-occurring" is a more commonly used term in recent years, as it doesn't imply that the additional condition is necessarily related to mortality.
- "Co-existing" is another term used to describe conditions that exist alongside autism.
- "Dual diagnosis" typically refers to the presence of two specific conditions, often used when discussing autism with one other condition.
5. Impact on treatment: The presence of co-occurring conditions can affect the overall treatment approach. It's important for healthcare providers to consider all conditions when developing a treatment plan.
6. Prevalence: Research suggests that a significant proportion of individuals with autism have at least one co-occurring mental health condition, which underscores the importance of comprehensive evaluation and treatment.
Understanding these co-occurring conditions is crucial for proper diagnosis, treatment, and support for individuals with autism. It highlights the need for a holistic approach to autism care that addresses all aspects of an individual's mental and behavioral health.
An important aspect of understanding autism is its relationship with other conditions.
Let's break down the key points:
neurodiverseU.org launch - January 2025