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Autonomic dysfunction in autism

Deedee

Anyone elses young people out there have autonomic dysfunction? My son was diagnosed with orthostatic hypotension/vasovagal syncope fairly recently. Has blood pressure drops on standing and near fainting episodes for anything that provokes fight or flight response. Pots and syncope service says it is common in autism. He's been this way forever but was difficult to tell with meltdowns etc. School treat it like it was a behaviour problem when there was refusals in PE or lining up. He is 19 now, i think it would have been easier knowing and think they would have been kinder. Quite upsetting looking back at times he's struggled and been punished for it. How many out there with same difficulties and put down to autistic behaviour?? It's a scary thought, i thought i was quite knowledgeable about anything autism related but had never heard of it. Had told consultants about issues with lining up etc and not picked up by them either when all the signs were there really. Would love to hear anyone elses experience/thoughts.

Parents

  • Thankyou so much for replying. Had started to think it was super rare or something. They did mention about the hypermobility link and POTS. Does make me wonder how many out there who struggling with it and it put down to anxiety. Only seems to be addressed when full blackouts do happen. My son was still referred to a psychologist first before having tilt table test. Not all in his head after all.

Reply

  • Thankyou so much for replying. Had started to think it was super rare or something. They did mention about the hypermobility link and POTS. Does make me wonder how many out there who struggling with it and it put down to anxiety. Only seems to be addressed when full blackouts do happen. My son was still referred to a psychologist first before having tilt table test. Not all in his head after all.

Children
  • in reply to Deedee

    there's a medical expression about when making a differential diagnosis - If you're in the UK and you see a four legged animal with hoofs and a mane it's most likely to be a horse rather than a zebra...  I regret that stigmatism  extends into even well educated and professional thinking.  The thing observed most is the agitation.  Despite the most obvious thing being the loss of consciousness.  Even having written this I am thinking that there is a connection somewhere along the line as biases in thinking get pretty entrenched...  Having a most accurate diagnosis means that getting the most useful management strategy is more likely and all the best for you and yours to getting this. :-)