Planet Neurodivergent Logo
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • SUPPORT SERVICE
  • ARTICLES/VIDEOS
  • CONTRIBUTE
  • CONDITIONS
No Result
View All Result
Submit a Post
  • Login
  • Register
Planet Neurodivergent Logo
Submit a Post
Home Autism

Autism’s Bum Rap: Comorbid Disorders

Mel Planet Neurodivergent Admin by Mel Planet Neurodivergent Admin
May 17, 2021
in Anxiety, Autism, Depression, Neurodivergent, Neurodiversity Advocation
0
0

exc-5d9bc4087161583d7b9c088f

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

I have talked to many parents who highlight the ‘downside’ of Autism. They talk about their child’s challenges with seizures, ‘tummy troubles,’ sleep disturbances, dietary restrictions, anxiety, depression, and the list goes on. I acknowledge these challenges may exist for a child and I also wish they would just disappear. However, it is important to note that these things are not an innate part of Autism. Not everyone realizes that. Autism is advertised as the ‘Big Bad’ by even organizations supposedly hoping to help Autistic people and their families.

It is easy to want to blame any unfortunate thing on Autism. Seizures, anxiety, piranhas, the stagnation of minimum wage… But the reality is we don’t KNOW if these things are directly caused by Autism or if they would have presented even if the child was otherwise neurotypical.

 

Clinically speaking, this is how the APA defines Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD):

A.   Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts, as manifested by the following, currently or by history:

1.     Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity.

2.     Deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction.

3.     Deficits in developing, maintaining, and understand relationships.

B.    Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, as manifested by at least two of the following, currently or by history:

1.     Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech.

2.     Insistence on sameness, inflexible adherence to routines, or ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behavior.

3.     Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus.

4.     Hyper- or hypo-reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of the environment.

(American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 5th ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.)

Who knew diagnostic manuals were so dry, right? Long story short, Autism Spectrum Disorder describes challenges interacting in a way that the neurotypical majority finds appropriate and/or pleasing plus special interests, routines, stimming, and “sensory stuff” as an old supervisor used to say. That’s it. Now, what is listed here can certainly be challenging and stressful but – and here’s the moral of the story – We can’t blame Autism for every single thing that is not going the way we want. It is important to really explain to Autistic people and their families what is meant by the phrase ‘comorbid disorder.’ ‘Co-‘ from the Latin ‘cum’ which basically means ‘with.’ Not here is some ADHD to go with your Autism as though it were a side of fries, an irreplaceable part of the Happy Meal. With as in “I have a blue jellybean and I have an orange gummy candy, too.” 

As I wrap this article up, I would be remiss not to give a nod to neurodiversity.

‘Comorbid disorder’ is about as pathologized as a term can get by implying multiple irregularities or faults. It is important to note that with multiple forms of neurodivergence also come multiple strengths.

For example:

“I have been diagnosed with both anxiety and depression. Both the anxious and depressive neurotypes impart deep thinking abilities but in slightly different ways. The anxious mind sees every possibility, both good and bad, while the depressive mind is acutely aware of human pain. Each skill is uniquely beneficial to me in my work as a clinical social worker. My depressive thinking allows me to genuinely empathize with my clients while my anxious thinking allows me to support families in avoiding difficulty and seeking out good fortune.”

So-called ‘comorbid diagnoses’ are just another opportunity to draw out and capitalize on client strengths.

Jordan is a licensed social worker in Ohio (USA). She speaks professionally at conferences and student organizations about neurodiversity, neuroinclusivity, and Autistic culture. She also offers customised staff trainings for a variety of organisations.

Tags: actually autisticactually autistic activistactually autistic blogactually autistic bloggeram I autisticasperger syndromeaspergersaspergers depressionaspergers syndromeaspieautismautism advocateautism anxietyautism blogautism bloggerautism co-occurring conditionsautism comorbid conditionsautism comorbid disordersautism comorbiditiesautism comorbidityautism depressionautism neurodivergentautism neurodiverseAutism Planet Neurodivergentautism psychiatric comorbidityautism speakerautism writerautisticautistic activistautistic adultautistic anxietyAutistic challengesautistic depressionAutistic Planet Neurodivergentautistic speakerautistic writerdo I have autismis autism neurodivergentis autism neurodiverseJordan DellingerJordan Dellinger Ohioneurodivergenceneurodivergentneurodivergent blogNeurodivergent bloggerneurodiverseNeurodiversityneurodiversity advocateneurodiversity speakerPlanet NDPlanet Neurodivergent
ShareTweetShare
Previous Post

Neurodiversity Terms Explained

Next Post

Autism’s Uncanny Valley: The Curse of Being “High Functioning/Low Support”

Mel Planet Neurodivergent Admin

Mel Planet Neurodivergent Admin

Related Posts

Managing Autism In Adults
Neurodivergent

Managing Autism In Adults

January 11, 2023
The Link Between Autism and Addiction
Neurodivergent

The Link Between Autism and Addiction

May 8, 2022
How Our System deals with Anger
Autism

How Our System deals with Anger

December 14, 2021
Help Wanted: Neurodivergent Role Models
Neurodivergent

Help Wanted: Neurodivergent Role Models

November 18, 2021
Neurodivergent

How Critical is Academic Achievement When Choosing an Educational Setting for a Neurodiverse/Neurodivergent Child?

July 16, 2021
children playing with a wooden toy puzzle
Neurodivergent

Autism and Gastrointestinal Symptoms

July 1, 2021

Discussion about this post

Sign Up to Stay in Touch

* indicates required

Categories

  • ADHD (71)
  • Anxiety (29)
  • Associated Physical Conditions (1)
  • Autism (50)
  • Bipolar (11)
  • Body Language (3)
  • BPD (14)
  • Bullying (1)
  • Creativity (2)
  • Depression (12)
  • Diagnosis (20)
  • Diet (9)
  • Dyslexia (14)
  • Executive Dysfunction (10)
  • Funny-Lighter Side (14)
  • Gifted (4)
  • Highly Sensitive Person (7)
  • Hyperfocus (3)
  • Kids (17)
  • Learning Differences (10)
  • Mental Health (40)
  • Migraines (1)
  • Mindfulness (7)
  • Neurodivergent (163)
  • Neurodiversity Advocation (10)
  • OCD (3)
  • Personality Conditions (12)
  • PTSD (6)
  • Relationships (8)
  • Research (5)
  • Sensory Processing (11)
  • Stress Management (30)
  • Tourette's & Tic Disorder (6)
  • Treatment (13)
  • Workplace (4)
No Result
View All Result

Recent Comments

  • A father of 4 neurodivergent children brings his learnings to work – Epsy magazine on Neurodiversity: Some Basic Terms & Definitions
  • 3 ways to support workers with Autism spectrum, ADHD, or Dyslexia – Iexplorer.info on Neurodiversity: Some Basic Terms & Definitions
  • 3 ways to support workers with Autism spectrum, ADHD, or Dyslexia USA ECO - USA ECO on Neurodiversity: Some Basic Terms & Definitions
  • 3 Ways to Support Workers on the Autism Spectrum, ADHD, or Dyslexia -UPLOAD-BOX NEWS - uploadbox news on Neurodiversity: Some Basic Terms & Definitions
  • 3 methods to assist staff with Autism spectrum, ADHD, or Dyslexia Information Buzz - Best Dealss Buzz on Neurodiversity: Some Basic Terms & Definitions

Recent Posts

  • Managing Autism In Adults
  • 3 Ways Accessibility Tools in the Workplace are Vital to Employee Success
  • The Link Between Autism and Addiction
  • How Our System deals with Anger
  • Help Wanted: Neurodivergent Role Models

Planet Neurodivergent does not provide medical diagnosis, advice, or treatment. Information provided is the opinion of each author, themselves, and for educational purposes only. All site vistors must abide by the Planet Neurodivergent Website Terms of Use.

© Planet Neurodivergent 2020

USEFUL INFO
  • Support Service
  • Articles/Videos
  • Signup to Contribute
  • Got Suggestions?
IMPORTANT STUFF!
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
 
We’re ranked by Feedspot as one of the Top 25 Neurodiversity Blogs and Websites To Follow in 2021!

 

Sign Up to Stay in Touch

* indicates required
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Cart
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • SUPPORT SERVICE
  • ARTICLES/VIDEOS
  • CONTRIBUTE
  • CONDITIONS
No Result
View All Result

© 2020 Planet Neurodivergent

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In