Autism and associated conditions

Autistic people often also have other conditions, which can make their support needs more complex. Read more about common conditions that someone can have alongside autism.

ADHD or ADD

People with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) might be more hyperactive, may struggle with lack of attention or act more impulsively than someone who does not have ADHD. Read more about ADHD or ADD and autism.

Mental health issues

Ambitious about Autism research found that four out of five young people with autism have experienced mental health issues.

Mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety disorders, are more common in autistic people and have a huge impact on a person’s daily life – hindering their ability to access full education and employment opportunities, for example.

Ambitious about Autism’s Youth Patrons have created a Know Your Normal toolkit to help young people understand and explain what their normal looks like – so that if things change they can communicate this and seek help more easily.

Learning disabilities

A learning disability affects the way a person learns new things throughout their lifetime. Around four in ten autistic people have a learning disability. The level of support someone with a learning disability needs depends on the individual. For example, someone with a mild learning disability may just need more time to learn a new skill. A person with a severe learning disability might need full-time care and support with all aspects of their life. Read more about learning disabilities.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a condition that affects the brain and causes frequent seizures. It is more common in autistic people than the general population. Read more about epilepsy.

Eating disorders

The severe eating disorder Anorexia Nervosa is much more common in autistic women then non-autistic women. Research has found that factors behind this include high levels of anxiety and sensory issues around food. Read more about anorexia and autism.