Autism

Question 1

What are co-occuring difficulties that occur with autism and ADHD [+]

Answer 1

Sleep difficulties are v common in neurodiverse people
- maybe underlying differences in circadian rhythms
- tx with melatonin

NB: ADHD medications do not worsen tics - but if starting at same time as increased tics then it may appear so (correlation not causation)

Pyschosis:
- Negative symptoms can look like autism - need to be able to differentiate between the two were possible

Eating disorders and feeding difficulties
- ADHD have higher links with BN or BED
- Autism: higher links with AN
- But also sensory issues around food may cause difficulties (but not due to weight issues)

Subtance misuse
- Might get dopamine hit don’t get from daily life

Epilepsy

Associations w RA, thyroiditis and coeliac

GI problems - abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhoea

Question 2

Which risks are important to consider for people with ADHD [+]

Answer 2

• Lower educational attainment
• Difficulty holding down jobs
• Relationship instability
• Early to become sexually active and more likely to engage in unprotected sex
• Substance misuse
• Intimate partner violence (women are 6x more likely to have if ADHD)
• Criminality
• Road traffic accidents/ other accidents

Answer 3

• Lower educational attainment
• Difficulty holding down jobs
• Bullying and harassment
• Substance misuse
• Victim of sexual violence
• Elevated suicide rates
• Exploitation - financial, sexual, criminal

Question 5

Lecture: