Many autistic people experience co-occurring conditions that deeply impact their lives. These conditions vary from person to person, but may include things like gastrointestinal (GI) problems, sleep disorders, epilepsy, ADHD and anxiety. These co-occurring conditions can have major effects on a person’s health and well-being, so it's important to understand how they interact with autism.

In this edition of E-Speaks, you'll learn about dual Down syndrome-autism spectrum disorder (DS-ASD) diagnosis and hear from several families of children with DS-ASD. You'll also read about the most common conditions that accompany autism and how to find support in your community. Lastly, you'll learn how genetic testing is opening the door to better screening and interventions for autism and other co-occurring conditions.

Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorder: Learning about the DS-ASD diagnosis

Finding out your child with Down syndrome has co-occurring autism can be a lot to process for any parent, but with the right tools and resources, you can support your child through every step of their lifelong journey. Learn more about the DS-ASD diagnosis, symptoms of the dual diagnosis and the resources available to you on our new DS-ASD webpage.

Families of children with a dual Down syndrome-autism diagnosis share their unique stories

The intersection between Down syndrome and autism can be quite complex, especially for parents as they navigate through a gamut of doctors, specialists, therapists and support workers in hopes of helping their children reach their full potential. Hear from the parents of Jake, Jonathan and Boston who each share their personal journeys in obtaining a dual DS-ASD diagnosis for their child.

Expert Q&A: Explaining the most common conditions that accompany autism

Many autistic people experience other medical, behavioral or mental health disorders that can create challenges and affect their quality of life. Often, these co-occurring conditions can make it difficult to get an accurate diagnosis and manage overlapping symptoms. In this Q&A, Amanda Bennett Palladino, MD, MPH, shares some of the most common conditions that accompany autism and offers support and resources to those coping with co-occurring conditions.

Research shows a connection between ASD-linked genes and some medical conditions

A study published in the Journal of Child Health Care shows that people with genetic mutations associated with ASD are at higher risk for other co-occurring conditions, such as seizures, allergies and GI problems. Read more about the study results.

Genetic testing can improve early detection of co-occurring conditions

Genetic testing has opened the door to a deeper understanding of autism’s co-occurring conditions, allowing for early detection and better interventions. In this blog post, Dean Hartley, senior director of genetic discovery and translational science at Autism Speaks, shares how genetic testing can benefit people with autism and discusses the work Autism Speaks is doing to advance the field.

Hop into Spring with Bunny Cares!

This Spring, continue or start a treasured holiday tradition with Cherry Hill Programs Bunny Cares events. You or your loved one can visit the Easter Bunny in a sensory-friendly environment at select locations near you on April 3 (and additional dates at some locations). Click here to find a location near you!

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