View past chats on this topic: November 18, 2018 and August 15, 2021.

Some physical, neurological, and mental health conditions are particularly common in autistic people, such as digestive problems, sleep problems, epilepsy, ADHD, anxiety, and depression. #AutChat

We’re using the term “co-conditions”; these are also referred to as co-occurring conditions and (more by researchers) comorbid conditions. You can use whatever term works for you. #AutChat

You can read an accessible summary of a study on autism and co-conditions here: http://www.thinkingautismguide.com/2018/08/are-co-occurring-conditions-part-of.html #AutChat

You can also see results of a survey that asks about co-conditions here (about ¾ of the way down; search for “comorbid conditions” to find it).

It sometimes gives responses from autistic people and family members mixed together, but has a lot of interesting questions. https://autisticnotweird.com/2018survey/ #AutChat

Q1: Do you have any co-conditions (co-occurring physical, neurological, or mental health conditions)? Share as much or as little as you’d like. #AutChat

Q2: Do you have difficulty telling some co-condition symptoms apart from autism or similar neurodivergence, or is it relatively clear which is which?

Do other people have difficulty (health providers, family members, etc)?

When does and doesn’t it matter? #AutChat

Q3: What do you think accompanies being autistic (or similar neurodivergence), vs what’s genuinely part of being autistic, versus completely unrelated to being autistic?

In your experience, do other people think about the division/lack of division the same way? #AutChat

Q4: Does being autistic/ND make any aspects of your co-conditions easier than they seem to be for neurotypical people? Harder?

Do they make you experience autism (or similar neurodivergence) differently from similarly autistic/ND people without your co-conditions? #AutChat

Q5: Are there aspects of your co-conditions or your own experience of autism/ similar neurodivergence you wish you could get rid of?

Aspects you would like to keep? #AutChat

Questions for this chat written by @endeverstar and @theoriesofminds.