Gastrointestinal Disorders
ASD carries a 3.5 times greater risk to have colon inflammation and chronic diarrhea
- autismspeaks.org Autism's Associated Medical Conditions
- autismspeaks.org Autism's Associated Medical Conditions
According to Autism Speaks, gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are one of the most common illnesses to go along with ASD. GI disorders affect everyone with ASD, but are seen mostly in kids. Things to look for are change in behavior. Kids can get regularly upset or aggravated if they have developed a GI disorder. According to Autism Delaware, 46-85% of people with ASD are affected by GI disorders. Often after you have a GI disorder you have to change your diet to eliminate dairy and gluten (Physical & Medical Issues Related to Autism Spectrum Disorders).
Genetic Disorders
Around 10% of kids diagnosed with ASD will also be diagnosed with a genetic disorder
-CDC data and statistics for autism
-CDC data and statistics for autism
Kids with ASD have an increased risk for neurogenetic conditions. According to Physical & Medical Issues Related to Autism Spectrum Disorders, Autism Delaware, the most common genetic disorders are Fragile X Syndrome, Angelman’s Syndrome, Tuberous Sclerosis, Chromosome 15 Duplication Syndrome or another chromosomal abnormality. If someone in the patient's family has a genetic disorder the doctor will usually order test due to the increased risk. It is unknown if ASD is caused by genetics, however the chance of having multiple kids with ASD is very large.
Pica Disorder
31% of childhood Pica medical issues were in kids with ASD
- livescince.com Dirt Eaters and Other Pica Cases Nearly Doubled in a Decade
- livescince.com Dirt Eaters and Other Pica Cases Nearly Doubled in a Decade
Image: Shows an X-Ray of a kid with ASD who ate a safety pin. Image from Autism Speaks, Autism and Pica: Study Shows Behavioral Intervention Can Reduce Dange
PICA is a disorder where you eat things that are not food. It is important to understand that kids 18-24 months commonly do this as part of their development process. It becomes a problem when they don't grow out of it. According to Physical & Medical Issues Related to autism Spectrum Disorders, Autism Delaware, the most common items kids continue to eat are dirt, clay, chalk, and paint chips. Kids who constantly have their fingers or objects such as toys in their mouth should be tested for an elevated lead level in their blood.
Seizure Disorders
39% of the ASD population has a seizure disorder
- autismspeaks.org Autism's Associated Medical Conditions
- autismspeaks.org Autism's Associated Medical Conditions
Seizures are most common in kids with cognitive deficits, however they can occur at any age. There is a lack of research on a correlation between age, ASD, and epilepsy but what has been done shows that epilepsy could continue throughout adulthood. It can also start occurring at any age not just in children (Seizures in Autism Spectrum Disorder). The more severe an individuals ASD is, the more likely they are to have a seizure disorder. As stated by Autism Speaks, 5% of children with epilepsy will be diagnosed with ASD.
Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SID)
1 in 20 children are affected by Sensory Integration Dysfunction every day
- spdstar.org Star Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder
- spdstar.org Star Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder
Most people with ASD respond different than the average person to their senses (touch, smell, sight, hearing and taste). The ASD causes them to take in senses differently. In some cases the stimuli that seems normal can be painful and confusing to kids with SID. Kids with ASD and SID also struggle to process multiple senses at once. SID is different for each person. According to STAR Institute, some people over respond to stimuli and some under respond.
Sleep Disorders
4 out of 5 kids with Autism Disorder have a chronic sleep disorders
- autismspeaks.org Autism's Associated Medical Conditions
- autismspeaks.org Autism's Associated Medical Conditions
There are many causes for sleep disorders. According to Autism Speaks, some causes are neurological, behavioral, and medical issues. Raisingchildren.net states that the most common sleep problems are irregular waking and falling asleep times, trouble staying asleep and sleeping throughout the day. Some of the medical conditions are sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), curing the medical conditions often dramatically increases a kids sleep. To fix the sleeping problems, behavioral therapy is often tried. One of the more popular ones is Sleep Hygiene, as stated by Physical & Medical Issues Related to Autism Spectrum Disorders, Autism Delaware. Sleep Hygiene is when you limit the amount of sleep during the day and have a consistent bedtime routine. Autism Speaks and Autism Delaware both stated that melatonin, a natural sleeping pill, has proven effective for some kids. Developing a bedtime routine that works for the person with ASD and caregivers almost always has positive effects.
References:
About SPD. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from https://www.spdstar.org/basic/about-spd
Autism's associated medical conditions. (2012, July 24). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/treatment/treatment-associated-medical-conditions
Autism and Pica: Study Shows Behavioral Intervention Can Reduce Danger. (2012, July 24). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from https://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science-news/autism-and-pica-study-shows-behavioral-intervention-can-reduce-danger
Physical & Medical Issues Related to Autism Spectrum Disorders. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from http://delautism.org/about-autism/signs-and-symptoms/physical-medical-issues-related-to-autism-spectrum-disorders/
Raising Children Network (RCN); jurisdiction=Commonwealth of Australia; sector=non-government. (n.d.). Sleep problems: children with autism spectrum disorder. Retrieved January 14, 2018, from http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/autism_spectrum_disorder_sleep_difficulties.html
Rettner, R. (2011, September 15). Dirt Eaters and Other Pica Cases Nearly Double in Decade. Retrieved January 14, 2018, from https://www.livescience.com/16072-pica-hospitalizations-increase-eating-disorders.html
Seizures in Autism Spectrum Disorder. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from https://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/seizures/
About SPD. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from https://www.spdstar.org/basic/about-spd
Autism's associated medical conditions. (2012, July 24). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/treatment/treatment-associated-medical-conditions
Autism and Pica: Study Shows Behavioral Intervention Can Reduce Danger. (2012, July 24). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from https://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science-news/autism-and-pica-study-shows-behavioral-intervention-can-reduce-danger
Physical & Medical Issues Related to Autism Spectrum Disorders. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from http://delautism.org/about-autism/signs-and-symptoms/physical-medical-issues-related-to-autism-spectrum-disorders/
Raising Children Network (RCN); jurisdiction=Commonwealth of Australia; sector=non-government. (n.d.). Sleep problems: children with autism spectrum disorder. Retrieved January 14, 2018, from http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/autism_spectrum_disorder_sleep_difficulties.html
Rettner, R. (2011, September 15). Dirt Eaters and Other Pica Cases Nearly Double in Decade. Retrieved January 14, 2018, from https://www.livescience.com/16072-pica-hospitalizations-increase-eating-disorders.html
Seizures in Autism Spectrum Disorder. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from https://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/seizures/