Medical

Learn about the most common co-occurring conditions in Autism.

Co Morbid Educational Project
Contrary to what you may hear autism is treatable. It is important to find effective services, treatments and education for autistic children as soon as possible. The earlier these children receive appropriate treatment, the better their prognosis-this includes ruling out common co-occurring medical conditions.

Children with autism often have other co-occurring medical conditions, including mental retardation (about 50%), seizures (25%), subclinical seizures (60-80%), low muscle tone (about 30%), sensory sensitivities (about 30%), gastrointestinal problems (chronic constipation, diarrhea, acid reflux, abdominal pain in about 50%), and sleep problems (about 50%).
Some abnormal behaviors of children with autism are actually caused by medical issues. Once these medical issues are addressed the behaviors stop.
It is impossible to learn effectively if you do not feel well .
Some children actually lose skills or do not retain skills because of a medical condition.

What are the most common co-occurring medical conditions for children with Autism?
Gastrointestinal Disorders:
-According to an article in the Journal of Medical Microbiology in 2005 “Children with ASD tend to suffer from severe gastrointestinal problems. “ It found that “GI problems were significantly more frequent in ASD patients than in controls demonstrating a significant association between GI symptoms and autism.”
-It is important to see a GI specialist if your child experiences any constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, reflux, or abdominal pain
-There are several easy treatments that the doctors can give to relieve these symptoms

Seizure Disorders:
-According to a study published in Epilepsy and Behavior 10 to 30 percent of children with a autism have Epilepsy.    Autism and epilepsy: Cause , consequence, co morbidity or coincidence? By Lidia Gabis, John Pomeroy and Mary R. Androla
-Epilepsy is a well-known co morbidity of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with about one third of these children developing seizures over their lifetime.
-Seizures do NOT always present exactly the same way in every individual. They can be different from a major convulsion on the floor to minor seizures which look like rapid eye movement or a period of “zoning out.”

Immune Disorders:
Approximately 25% of children on the spectrum have immune deficiency and dysfunction.
-Most children with autism do not have symptoms so it is important to run the lab work to rule this disorder.
-Children who have gastrointestinal disorders are very likely to have immune deficiency.

Co Morbid Conditions Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders
ADHD
Seizure Disorders
Constipation and/or Diarrhea
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders (EGIDs)
Celiac Disease
Mitochondrial Diseases
Inborn Errors of Metabolism
Tuberous Sclerosis
Fragile X Syndrome
Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases
Anxiety Disorders
Hypothyroidism
Food and Environmental Allergies
Feeding Issues
Sleep disorders
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Mood Disorders
Sensory Processing Disorders
Apraxia
Tourette Syndrome
Depression
Dyspraxia
Rett Syndrome
Central Auditory Processing Disorders
Dyslexia
Hyperlexia
For more extensive information on the co-occurring medical conditions of Autism, including studies, powerpoint presentations, physician letters, etc. become a member today and have COMPLETE access to all of this information and more!  Click here to become a member!

(Include the following downloads:)
Above and beyond Sample Letter and Certificate-Still need a list of recipients
How To make the most out of a doctor-PDF
Arizona American Academy of Pediatrics Parent Letter from Autism Society of Greater Phoenix
Co Morbid Article Written by Dr. Melmed for Rok-PDF
Study’s:
Can Children Really Recover-Neuropsychol Rev 2008
Evaluation, Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Disorders in Individuals with ASD: A Consensus Report
Mitochondrial Disease: A practical Approach for Primary Care Physicians
Mitochondrial DNA Abnormalities with Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Arizona AAP ASD Consensus Report 2010
Consensus Statement: Chromosomal Microarray Is a First-Tier Clinical Diagnostic Test for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities or Congenital Anomalies