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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

  • Thanks for the reply. There is so many triggers and just intolerant to standing. They've given advice with the tensing etc keeping hydrated, salts etc. Nothing stops it really, not completely, just how his nervous system responds. The biggest help really is knowledge of it. At least we know what is happening and how to deal with it now. Don't think there is enough awareness of the link to autism though, think it could be damaging, mentally, for anyone undiagnosed. Am curious as to how common or undetected it is.

Reply

  • Thanks for the reply. There is so many triggers and just intolerant to standing. They've given advice with the tensing etc keeping hydrated, salts etc. Nothing stops it really, not completely, just how his nervous system responds. The biggest help really is knowledge of it. At least we know what is happening and how to deal with it now. Don't think there is enough awareness of the link to autism though, think it could be damaging, mentally, for anyone undiagnosed. Am curious as to how common or undetected it is.

Children
  • in reply to Deedee
    Deedee said:
    Don't think there is enough awareness of the link to autism though

    From what I have read on the subject there is not much evidence of the link - yet. It doesn't mean it isn't there, just that the studies cannot conclusively establish the link from what has been seen so far, probably because there are few cases to study.

    It is probably safer to consider it as a comorbidity (ie it can exist at the same time) with autism but without thinking it is linked.

    If you try to push the assumption of a link to medical professionals then it may be counterproductive as they may think you are making stuff up.

    Hopefully medical science can sort this out in due course and let us know if there really is a link.