Photic Sneeze Reflex and Autism?

I had part  of my autism assessment recently and have been reflecting on some questions about sensory issues.

One question was about any sensitivity to light which I answered no to, but I sometimes will sneeze in bright sunlight. This is called Photic Sneeze Reflex or ACHOO syndrome.

en.wikipedia.org/.../Photic_sneeze_reflex

I don't seem to get it all the time. Sometimes in bright light I will sneeze once or twice. But my dad who we now suspect is autistic will often go into sneezing fits if 5+ sneezes. I believe my sister also has it, but again, not as much as my dad.

I started wondering if it could be related to autism as either a partial cause or effect.

So just wondering if anyone has seen anything relating the two, or if there are others that have similar.

Parents
  • The Wikipedia link suggests it affects up to a third of the population, so would appear unrelated to autism since it affects many non-autistic people.

    Of course you can have both.

    I tend to sneeze if I look straight at the sun. Although it needs to be reasonably overhead, looking at sunrise or sunset does not do it. It must be related to light intensity.

Reply
  • The Wikipedia link suggests it affects up to a third of the population, so would appear unrelated to autism since it affects many non-autistic people.

    Of course you can have both.

    I tend to sneeze if I look straight at the sun. Although it needs to be reasonably overhead, looking at sunrise or sunset does not do it. It must be related to light intensity.

Children
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