Autism and Mental Health Disorders

Children with autism often have a co-occurring psychiatric disorder. While this may not be the case for all individuals with autism, the Autism Research Institute found that nearly 78% of children diagnosed with autism have at least one mental health condition; and nearly half of that number have two or more mental health conditions. 

While these numbers may sound scary, understanding mental health conditions and how they relate to autism can help your loved one have a happy and fulfilling life. Balancing the needs of autism with the needs of a mental health condition is hard, but early detection and intervention can help immensely. 

What is Autism? 

Autism is a neurodiverse condition; it is not an illness. Having an autism diagnosis does not mean an individual is sick or ill; it means their brain works differently. Autism is also a spectrum condition, meaning it presents differently in every individual. While some individuals with autism need little support to live independently, others may need more assistance. 

It’s important to keep in mind that there is no specific cause of autism. Autism is a complex condition that could have many causes. Both genetic and environmental factors play a role. Additionally, Autism is more common than originally thought. Around 1 in every 31 U.S. children may have an autism diagnosis. 

Though autism can present differently in every individual, there are still a few traits that are common throughout the spectrum, they are: 

• Sensory Sensitivity 
• Hyper fixation on Hobbies or Interests 
• Preference for Order and Routine 
• Repeated Movements and Behavior 

Autism and Mental Health Disorders 

Children with autism are more likely to have psychiatric disorders than their neurotypical counterparts. However, diagnosing that psychiatric disorder may be harder.  

It can be harder for clinicians to diagnose a co-occurring disorder for a number of reasons. Signs and symptoms of disorders like anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have significant overlaps with autism. Distinguishing the two can be difficult. Oftentimes, people are more focused on the autism diagnosis and symptoms, which can overshadow any concerns about a mental or psychological disorder. 

Additionally, individuals and children with autism find it hard to communicate. This is one of the distinguishing traits of an autism diagnosis. Gaps in communication make it hard for the child receiving care and the clinician to properly diagnose any overlapping disorders. 

There are certain disorders that co-occur at a higher rate for children with autism; they are: depression, OCD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and anxiety. Anxiety is the most common co-occurring disorder. Up to 84% of individuals with autism may suffer from anxiety.  

Autism and Anxiety 

Anxiety is the most common co-occurring mental health disorder for individuals and children with autism. Just like autism, anxiety is a spectrum disorder. Similar to autism, anxiety can present differently in every diagnosed person.  

Even though anxiety can present differently in every child with autism. While traits are different, there are a few signs of anxiety in children you can look for. According to Autism Advocate Parenting Magazine, they are:  

• Fearful Avoidance: Children with autism and anxiety may avoid a person, thing, place, or situation because they are scared. An example of this includes a child who does not want to go grocery shopping because the lights and sounds in the store are overwhelming. 
• Anticipatory Anxiety: Fear of the unknown can cause an anxiety attack or episode. This could be fear of taking a test, being in a social situation, or the possibility of someone breaking into the house. 
• Extreme Defense Mechanisms: Flight, fight, or freeze are all defense mechanisms. A child may feel so overwhelmed with their anxiety that they hit a wall or yell at their parents. While this could be seen as acting out, it can also be a sign that their anxiety is so big, the child has trouble controlling it. 

The level of anxiety a person or child is feeling can depend on different emotional and environmental triggers. When a child with autism has an unexpected change to their routine or has too much unstructured time, it can lead to anxiety.  Some other signs of anxiety to watch for are: 

• Disruptive behavior 
• Self-injury 
• Repetitive rituals or behaviors  
• Tantrums or other aggressive behaviors 
• Disruptions in sleep patterns 
• Avoidance 

  It’s important to note that anxiety in girls and women with autism can be overlooked. Girls can internalize their anxiety, which makes it harder to see any obvious traits or symptoms.  

Treatment Options for Individuals with Autism and a Mental Health Diagnosis 

Though an anxiety diagnosis may seem scary, there are a number of treatment options available. Some of the most effective ones are: 

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This type of therapy helps individuals train their brain to change destructive and painful thought patterns. CBT is a form of talk-therapy that helps individuals identify their negative thoughts and then re-direct that negative thought pattern.  
• Occupational therapy: Despite its name, occupational therapy has nothing to do with jobs or work. Instead, occupational therapy helps children with autism take on the activities of daily living and helps create structure and routine. Occupational therapists work in tandem with teachers and psychologists so that a child has a whole team devoted to their success. 
• Medication management: In some cases, a psychologist may prescribe a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI to an individual with autism. SSRIs are commonly used to treat anxiety in adults, and there has been success with using them to help alleviate the symptoms of anxiety for children with autism. 

How to Help Your Loved One Care for Their Mental Health 

When a loved one is experiencing anxiety or any other mental health disorder, they need support. There are ways you can help a child with autism navigate their diagnosis, some of them are: 

• Be gentle, kind, and patient with your loved one 
• Look into therapy that could help them  
• Help support your loved one with their routines  

Mental health disorders can be controlled and maintained. If you think your loved one has a mental health disorder, it’s important to have them evaluated by a medical professional. With the proper tools, an individual with autism and a mental health disorder can live a happy and fulfilling life.