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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

  • A reduction in blood pressure as a fight or flight response is prehaps not what you are describing?

    Fainting or a "vaso-vagal" response to fear or anxiety is.

    Nonetheless debilitating - I am sorry to learn of this - not pleasant for all concerned.

    Reducing the anxiety at source appears most immediate solution however contextually these are "normal" expectations that your son's neurodiversity is clearly unable to stay capable in.

    People (professionals included) often only see and engage with things that they want to see or can explain.

    Well done for continuing to do all you can to support your son.

    As such things are anxiety related strategies for your son to learn to employ in order to remain "grounded" in a "graded exposure" fashion might be worth exploring to potentially increase capability range.  Suggest not to think of this as "tolerance range" as life should be more than just "tolerable" in my opinion.

    Personally though once I have had several "triggering" responses to situations I find that even the thought of them increases anxiety.

    No quick fix however I don't think despair is a great answer to give you.

    Achieving a physical response that increases blood pressure is ironically thought to happen by the sort of PE that your son wasn't able to engage with.

    For a long time I trained in recognising and exercising physical control of my body so that I could withstand challenges - cycling was my first introduction to increasing cardiovascular endurance and in some senses a mindset that I could achieve more physically than I was expecting... The took this into martial arts - appreciate this is unlikley a go to for someone already fainting with anxiety however maybe one day?  Safe environment for whatever type of exercise is tried naturally an essential pre-requisite.

    Best wishes to you and yours

Reply

  • A reduction in blood pressure as a fight or flight response is prehaps not what you are describing?

    Fainting or a "vaso-vagal" response to fear or anxiety is.

    Nonetheless debilitating - I am sorry to learn of this - not pleasant for all concerned.

    Reducing the anxiety at source appears most immediate solution however contextually these are "normal" expectations that your son's neurodiversity is clearly unable to stay capable in.

    People (professionals included) often only see and engage with things that they want to see or can explain.

    Well done for continuing to do all you can to support your son.

    As such things are anxiety related strategies for your son to learn to employ in order to remain "grounded" in a "graded exposure" fashion might be worth exploring to potentially increase capability range.  Suggest not to think of this as "tolerance range" as life should be more than just "tolerable" in my opinion.

    Personally though once I have had several "triggering" responses to situations I find that even the thought of them increases anxiety.

    No quick fix however I don't think despair is a great answer to give you.

    Achieving a physical response that increases blood pressure is ironically thought to happen by the sort of PE that your son wasn't able to engage with.

    For a long time I trained in recognising and exercising physical control of my body so that I could withstand challenges - cycling was my first introduction to increasing cardiovascular endurance and in some senses a mindset that I could achieve more physically than I was expecting... The took this into martial arts - appreciate this is unlikley a go to for someone already fainting with anxiety however maybe one day?  Safe environment for whatever type of exercise is tried naturally an essential pre-requisite.

    Best wishes to you and yours

Children
  • in reply to Phased

    quick Google also suggests physical techniques of course - elevating legs, head between knees,  -not ideal if the situation already has a stigmatising effect socially tho' :-(

    "counter-pressure maneuvers: 
    Some people find relief by tensing muscles to increase blood pressure. For example, grip one hand with the other and pull them in opposite directions, or squeeze your legs and fists. "
    Wonder whether there are "safe situations where your son starts to notice reduction in BP and could exercise some control with the muscle tensing strategy?
    maybe somewhere to go with on that? naturally recommend in context of medical advice and training to ensure safe and suitable in context.
    Best wishes