Other conditions that affect autistic people
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Symptoms of ADHD include:
- finding it hard to concentrate and getting distracted easily
- acting without thinking
- finding it hard to sit still
People with ADHD may need extra support at school or work. Sometimes they need to take medicine.
Dyslexia and dyspraxia
Some autistic people have:
- problems with reading, writing and spelling (dyslexia)
- clumsy movements and problems with organisation and following instructions (dyspraxia)
Extra support at school can often help.
Problems sleeping (insomnia)
Symptoms of insomnia include:
- finding it hard to go to sleep
- waking up several times during the night
- waking up early and not being able to go back to sleep
Changing your bedtime routine can often help.
Find out more about sleep problems from the National Autistic Society.
Mental health problems
Many autistic people have problems like:
- feeling very worried a lot of the time (anxiety)
- feeling unhappy, irritable or hopeless (depression)
- feeling a need to keep doing certain actions (obsessive compulsive disorder, or OCD)
These conditons can often be treated with talking therapies or medicines.
Learning disabilities
A person with a learning disability may find it hard to:
- understand new or complicated information
- learn new skills
- look after themselves
People with a learning disability often need help with daily life.
Find out more about learning disabilities
Epilepsy
Symptoms of epilepsy include:
- shaking and collapsing (called a "fit" or seizure)
- staring blankly into space
- strange smells or tastes
- tingling in your arms or legs
Epilepsy can often be treated with medicine.
Problems with joints and other parts of the body
Some autistic people may have:
- flexible or painful joints
- skin that stretches or bruises easily
- diarrhoea or constipation that does not go away
These can be caused by conditions like joint hypermobility syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndromes.
You may need support from a range of health professionals, including a physiotherapist.
See a GP if:
- you're autistic and think you might have another condition
- your child is autistic and you think they might have another condition
- you have another condition and think you might be autistic – if you already see a doctor, you could speak to them instead
Find out more:
Page last reviewed: Thu Apr 2019 Next review due: Mon Apr 2022
