Autism Spectrum Disorder and Co-Occurring Conditions
Autism spectrum disorder often co-occurs with a wide range of other conditions, known as comorbidities. These arise due to shared genetic, neurological, and biological pathways.
Autism affects how the brain processes information, which can influence mental health, physical health, learning, and sensory systems.
🧠 Mental Health & Neurodevelopmental Conditions
These are the most common co-occurring conditions:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (30–60%)
- Anxiety disorders (up to 84%)
- Depression (higher risk, especially in adults)
- Sleep disorders (50–80%)
-
Learning differences:
- Dyslexia
- Dysgraphia
- Dyscalculia
- Developmental coordination disorder
🩺 Physical & Medical Conditions
Many autistic individuals experience physical health differences:
- Gastrointestinal (GI) issues (constipation, pain, diarrhea)
- Epilepsy (20–40%)
- Joint hypermobility (e.g., Ehlers-Danlos syndrome)
- Feeding challenges (e.g., ARFID, sensory-based eating difficulties)
🧬 Genetic & Related Syndromes
Some genetic conditions have strong links with autism:
- Fragile X syndrome
- Tuberous sclerosis
- Down syndrome
🎭 Sensory & Internal Processing Differences
Autism also affects how the body and brain process information:
- Sensory processing differences (over/under sensitivity)
- Alexithymia (difficulty identifying emotions)
- Interoception differences (difficulty sensing hunger, thirst, etc.)
🔗 Overlapping Conditions (Neurodiversity)
Autism, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and Epilepsy often occur together and may also include:
- Learning differences (dyslexia, dyspraxia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia)
- Anxiety and depression
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
- Sleep and sensory difficulties
🧠 Key Message
Autism spectrum disorder rarely exists in isolation. Many individuals experience a combination of conditions, which together shape their needs, strengths, and support requirements.
🧩 2. EASY READ VERSION (SIMPLE LANGUAGE)
🧠 Autism and Other Conditions
People with Autism spectrum disorder may also have other conditions.
This is called co-occurring conditions.
🧠 Common conditions
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Sleep problems
📚 Learning differences
- Dyslexia
- Dysgraphia
- Dyscalculia
- Developmental coordination disorder
🩺 Health conditions
- Stomach problems
- Epilepsy
- Joint problems
- Eating difficulties
🎧 Sensory differences
- Sensitive to sound, light, or touch
- Difficulty understanding feelings
- Difficulty knowing when hungry or tired
💡 Key message
- Autism often comes with other conditions
- Everyone is different
- Support should be personalised
📊 3. TABLE SUMMARY VERSION
| Category | Co-occurring Conditions |
|---|---|
| Neurodevelopmental | Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning differences |
| Mental Health | Anxiety, depression |
| Physical Health | GI issues, Epilepsy |
| Genetic | Fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome |
| Sensory | Sensory processing differences |
| Behavioural | ODD, emotional regulation difficulties |
🧠 4. POWERPOINT SLIDES VERSION
Slide 1 – Title
Autism and Co-Occurring Conditions
Slide 2 – What this means
- Autism can occur with other conditions
- These are called comorbidities
Slide 3 – Mental health
- ADHD
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Sleep problems
Slide 4 – Learning differences
- Dyslexia
- Dysgraphia
- Dyscalculia
- Dyspraxia
Slide 5 – Physical health
- Stomach issues
- Epilepsy
- Joint problems
- Feeding difficulties
Slide 6 – Genetic links
- Fragile X syndrome
- Tuberous sclerosis
- Down syndrome
Slide 7 – Sensory differences
- Sensitive to sound, light, touch
- Difficulty understanding emotions
- Body awareness differences
Slide 8 – Key message
- Autism often overlaps with other conditions
- Support should match the person
- Everyone is unique
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