CO-OCCURRING CONDITIONS

Conditions That Frequently Co-occur with Autism

Most autistic people have at least one co-occurring condition. Understanding each condition separately from autism leads to better, more targeted support.

This page is for informational purposes only. It is not medical or diagnostic advice. Please consult a licensed professional for evaluation and diagnosis.
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
50-70% of autistic people also have ADHD, compared to roughly 5-10% of the general population.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting attention regulation, impulse control, and activity level. It comes in ...

Anxiety Disorder
Up to 50% of autistic people have a co-occurring anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, panic disorder, and s...

OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
Roughly 17-37% of autistic people have OCD, compared to about 1-3% of the general population.

OCD involves intrusive obsessions (unwanted thoughts, images, or urges) that cause distress, and compulsions (repetitive...

Depression
Depression affects 40-70% of autistic adults at some point in their lifetime — significantly higher than general population rates.

Depression is a mood disorder characterized by persistent low mood, loss of interest, fatigue, cognitive changes, and in...

Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders
Epilepsy affects 20-30% of autistic people, compared to about 1-2% of the general population.

Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by recurrent seizures — episodes of uncontrolled electrical activity ...

Dyspraxia / Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)
DCD occurs in an estimated 80% of autistic people to some degree, making it one of the most common co-occurring motor challenges.

DCD affects the planning and execution of coordinated physical movements. It impacts fine motor skills (handwriting, usi...

Hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Research consistently shows elevated rates of hypermobility and EDS in autistic populations.

Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) are chronic connective tissue condi...

Gastrointestinal Issues
GI problems affect 46-84% of autistic people, compared to about 10-20% of the general population.

Common GI issues in autism include constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, reflux, abdominal pain, and nausea....

Sleep Disorders
Sleep problems affect 50-80% of autistic children and up to 50% of autistic adults.

Autistic people have higher rates of insomnia, delayed sleep phase, night waking, and sleep-disordered breathing. Melato...

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)
RSD is most documented in ADHD, where it affects an estimated 99% of adults.

RSD is an intense emotional response to perceived or actual rejection, criticism, failure, or exclusion. The emotional p...

Alexithymia
Alexithymia affects roughly 50% of autistic people, compared to about 10% of the general population.

Alexithymia is difficulty identifying and describing one's own emotions. It is not the absence of emotion — it is a disc...

Sensory Processing Differences
Sensory processing differences are a core feature of autism, now included in the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria.

Sensory processing differences refer to how the nervous system receives and responds to sensory input from the eight sen...

PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance Profile)
PDA is considered an autism profile rather than a separate diagnosis in most frameworks.

PDA is an autism profile characterized by extreme, anxiety-driven avoidance of ordinary demands and expectations. People...

ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)
ARFID is significantly more common in autistic people — estimates suggest 15-35% of autistic children meet criteria for ARFID, compared to about 3-5% of children generally.

ARFID is characterized by restricted eating based on sensory properties (texture, smell, appearance, temperature), fear ...