Autism Health and Medical Info

A diagnosis of autism is often followed, or preceded by, other diagnosis. Many conditions mimic autism and vice versa. Some increase the risk for autism, some are common comorbid conditions with autism. Some children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders are also diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos syndrome. Today I want to discuss Ehlers Danlos and autism,

In this article, the differences between the symptoms of Tourette syndrome and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) will be discussed, as well as whether there are possible links between the two conditions.  It is important to note that research is always being updated and different outcomes can present depending on different individuals. I hope though, that

Bailey’s mother in law, Susan, opened her arms wide as soon as she saw her. As Bailey ran into them, Susan asked, “How is he doing?” Pulling back, Bailey shook her head in discouragement, “I can’t get through, I don’t know how to reach him”. Her son had been suffering through a bout of severe

Pain is a warranted worry for parents of children with autism spectrum disorders. Communication impairments could mean children struggle to put pain in words, meaning serious conditions and symptoms may be missed. With more autistic adults searching out advice about headache disorders, the association between autism and migraines deserves a closer look. My child banged

Kim attempted to open the door to her algebra class only to drop half of what was in her hands. Frustrated, she picked up her belongings, pushed her glasses back to her forehead, and tried again. School was a place where she could pour herself into her studies. She liked that, but she wished she

Developmental disorders like autism are complex, even specialists in cognitive science fields recognize there is still much to learn; however, when a child receives an autism diagnosis, parents often turn to the latest cognitive theories to learn more about their child’s unique brain development and other autistic traits. Many parents would love a single, concise,

A comprehensive guide for creating dialogue about relationships, sexual maturity, and consent with your autistic child. Relationships are tricky for everyone, especially those with autism. There are many questions such as: How does love feel? How does a real friend act? How does a lover act? How do relationships really look? Was I flirting? Was

Parents concerned about their autistic child’s mood swings often ask if autism and bipolar disorder co-occur and whether symptoms overlapping mean the disorders are related. Autistic adults, diagnosed later in life, often talk about their struggle to get diagnosed. Far too many share details of being misdiagnosed, and suffering severe side effects of medication that

There was a time in history when comorbidity between psychiatric disorders and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) were written about extensively, and autism was sometimes mistaken for a mental illness. Thankfully, these days there is much more understanding, awareness, and acceptance of autism. However, people still have many questions about what autism actually is and if

How autism affects the brain is a topic that plays on people’s minds if they are coming to terms with a diagnosis or have limited understanding of neurodivergence. The good news is there are scientific studies that can help answer some questions—although more research is needed. Since autism is considered a neurodivergent diagnosis, it is

Autism spectrum disorders and joint hypermobility related disorders: what’s the link, and why are these conditions increasingly mentioned together? It seems science is slowly catching up, searching along both spectrums to find the connection between autism and hypermobility spectrum disorder and other hereditary connective tissue disorders—hypermobility is often a sign of such hereditary connective tissue

“Breast is best,” is a saying many of us have heard. But is breast milk really best for babies with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)? Is there any connection between breastfeeding and the development of autism? And is it advisable for autistic mothers to breastfeed their babies? It seems any article about breastfeeding needs to be

Just when you think you’ve read it all, here comes another condition that is said to be related to autism: catatonia. If you haven’t heard yet, autism and catatonia have been closely studied to understand their comorbid occurrence and, from what we currently know, unfortunately, it does appear to be true that there’s some crossover.

As more children are diagnosed with autism, researchers are examining a variety of potential “causes” including maternal hormonal disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). One of the most debated autism theories may just be the “extreme male brain” theory. The theory suggests that autism may be an extreme manifestation of the male brain (Baron-Cohen, 2002).

If you’re not scientifically minded, you might be unaware of the potential link between epigenetics and autism. From the moment children are conceived to the moment they begin to interact with the environment, they’re indirectly exposed to factors which could affect their development. In short, epigenetics is the study of how your behaviors and environment

When autism is found alongside (or co-morbid with) another disorder, diagnosis and treatment may be complicated. One example is cerebral palsy and autism spectrum disorder, where severity and symptoms tend to present differently in each individual. Autism rates among children with cerebral palsy are elevated when compared to prevalence in the general population. Even doctors

Have you ever heard of macrocephaly? This big word has a very simple definition: it means that a person has a large head. But is this condition a problem for children, and does it have any connection to autism spectrum disorder (ASD)? Let’s take a look at these questions and more. What is macrocephaly? Macrocephaly

Parents often speak about the difficulty of dealing with possible autism characteristics in a young child. When any red flags appear, parents start second guessing themselves. They watch their child like a hawk, dissecting every aspect of behavior. In such circumstances some parents mention that it would be easier if there were distinct autism features

The complicated and controversial history linking autism and schizophrenia does little to answer parents’ concerns about the co-occurrence of these two conditions in their children. Dr. Eugene Bleuler first used the word “autism” in the early twentieth century to describe symptoms related to schizophrenia. More specifically, symptoms of withdrawal into an inner world—which he had

As parents, you want your children to be at their happiest and healthiest, and that includes their diet. Unfortunately, kids on and off the autism spectrum can have problems with food, appearance, and self-esteem. Eating disorders are some of the most complex and dangerous mental health concerns. How common is it for autistic people to

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has a diverse array of markers and traits. So much so that every individual on the autism spectrum experiences a variety of symptoms different to the next person and many ASD symptoms can be found in other disorders similar to autism. Autism is categorized by symptoms such as social interaction and

Science tells us that our genes contribute to deficits in communication, social cognition, and behavior. This might lead you to question: is there an autism chromosome? Well, a growing number of physiological and genetic studies are being conducted to determine the cause of autism and target the biological route of its symptoms, so let’s find

When most people hear the term “post-traumatic stress disorder,” or PTSD, they probably picture adult war veterans, abuse survivors, or natural disaster victims. All of these things can cause PTSD, for sure, but sadly, many children face this condition, too―including children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). What is PTSD? Post-traumatic stress disorder is exactly what

Visits to the doctor’s office or to the hospital can be very stressful for an autistic person. A good medical practitioner will offer an inclusive service and make him/her as comfortable as possible. Sharing the following tips and ideas with your doctor may help to make medical appointments less stressful:  Autism is a spectrum condition

Before we delve into defining alexithymia and autism I’d like to paint a picture in your mind. Imagine living in a world where emotions do not appear to exist—no clear indications of anger, sadness, or happiness. So much so that even categorizing these emotions does not exist—a neutral reality where everyone looks the same and

Nothing can prepare a first-time mom when she discovers her son is not only on the autism spectrum but also epileptic. One mom shares her family’s story.  Autism is a journey I never expected as a first-time mother. I always pictured being one of those mothers rushing to all the sporting events he was involved

Raising a child with autism and epilepsy can be challenging; here are 10 tips that can effectively help you, your family, and your child. Parents often feel overwhelmed when their child is diagnosed with autism. When their child receives a further diagnosis of epilepsy, those feelings may intensify. Currently, approximately one in 26 people will

Executive dysfunction in children with autism is a key issue. Executive function itself refers to planning, working memory, impulse control, inhibition, initiation, and monitoring of tasks or actions. All of these elements can be impacted by autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Executive functioning is mediated by the frontal lobe, meaning any developmental delay that implicates the

Your autistic child starts clearing his/her throat repeatedly, and while repetitive behavior may be an autism characteristic, you wonder whether the behavior may be a comorbid condition or something else…  Many parents wish they could know exactly how their kids feel; maybe then they could soothe and treat all their symptoms more effectively. When autistic

Our brains are immense. Everyone’s ability to think, reason, relate, and engage with tasks is granted by their brain’s ability to process the information in their environment. Our brains store thousands of memories, but with many believing the autistic brain is differently wired, some people wonder what the connection is between autism and memory. The