COMORBID DISORDERS WITH
AUTISM & ASPERGERS
Most patients presenting in clinical settings
with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, such as Aspergers
syndrome or autism,
have other comorbid disorders. Children are likely to present with
attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), while depression is a common diagnosis in adolescents and adults. Parents can familiarize
themselves with these comorbid disorders to begin early intervention should a disorder emerge at some point of their child's development.
Disorders commonly associated with autism and Asperger's
Research indicates people on the
autism spectrum may be far more likely to have the associated
conditions. People with Aspergers syndrome symptoms may also be
diagnosed with:
• Gastrointestinal
disorders
• Sensory
problems
• Seizures
and epilepsy
• Intellectual
disability
• Fragile
X syndrome
• ADHD
• Bipolar
disorder
• Obsessive
compulsive disorder
• Tourette
syndrome
• General
anxiety disorder
• Tuberous
sclerosis
• Clinical
depression
• Visual
problems.
Anxiety, autism and Asperger's
The particularly high comorbidity with anxiety often requires special attention. One study reported that about
84 percent of individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder also
met the criteria to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Because
of the social differences experienced by those with Aspergers syndrome,
such as trouble initiating or maintaining a conversation or adherence
to strict rituals or schedules, additional stress to any of these
activities may result in feelings of anxiety, which can negatively
affect multiple areas of one’s life, including school, family, and
work.
Treatment of anxiety
Treatment of anxiety disorders that accompany
an Autism Spectrum Disorder can be handled in a number of ways,
such as through medication or individual and group cognitive behavioral
therapy, where relaxation or distraction-type activities may be
used along with other techniques in order to diffuse the feelings
of anxiety
Click here for the full
range of Asperger's and autism fact sheets at www.autism-help.org
This autism fact sheet is licensed under the GNU
Free Documentation. It is derivative of an autism and Asperger's
syndrome-related articles at http://en.wikipedia.org |
