It has been observed that more than half of people in autism spectrum have four or more other conditions. The types of co-occurring conditions and how they manifest varies from one autistic person to the other. These conditions can make worse the features of autism or affect the timing of an autism diagnosis, so understanding how they interact with autism is important. In today’s poster I am touching up on this.
The poster presents four groups in which the conditions fall into, and the possible traits or conditions. Different surveys indicate that between 11 to 84 percent of autistic children also have anxiety. Similarly, serious sleep problems may affect anywhere between 44 and 86 percent of children on the spectrum. Differences in diagnostic criteria and other study parameters may be the reasons for the wide margins.
Nearly all the conditions that accompany autism can have serious effects on well-being of the person. And some have more severe consequences than autism does. Treating related conditions may also ease autism traits. For instance, treating seizures early may decrease cognitive and behavioural problems in children with tuberous sclerosis complex [Tuberous Sclerosis Complex is a rare genetic disease that causes non-cancerous tumours to grow in brain and other vital organs such as the kidneys, heart, liver, eyes, lungs etc].
Some autism traits, such as poor social skills and sensory sensitivities, overlap with those of other conditions. ADHD traits may also mask or mistaken for those with autism - and delays when a child receives an autism diagnosis, losing on the most critical “early intervention”.
Autism diagnosis may be particularly tricky in people with intellectual disability or severe language delays. This must have happened in the case of my daughter, as she has intellectual disability (formerly called Mental Retardation), language delays and Obsessive compulsive disorder.
Overall it is very important to diagnose such multiple conditions that co-exist with autism, to properly plan and execute the interventions at right time. Awareness of these were very poor and good to see it is improving these days at least in urban areas.
Concluding with a quote “Someone with Autism has taught me love needs no words”.
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