Beyond Autism: Hidden Health Conditions Every Parent Should Know About
- Luciana Leo
- May 28
- 4 min read
When we talk about autism, we often focus on therapies, education plans, and behavioral strategies. And while those are crucial, there’s another side to supporting a child with ASD that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves: their physical health.
Many children (and adults) with autism also have comorbid conditions — health issues that occur alongside autism. These can affect everything from sleep and digestion to mood, behavior, and even how a child responds to therapies. Sometimes, these conditions are mistaken as "just part of autism," and as a result, they go unrecognized and untreated.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common co-occurring conditions in children with autism, how they might show up, and what kinds of evaluations or professionals can help you get answers.
💉 Gastrointestinal (GI) Disorders
What to look for:
Chronic constipation, diarrhea, bloating
Complaints of tummy pain, especially if non-verbal
Very limited food choices, picky eating, or food aversions
Eating non-food items (pica)
Why it matters: GI discomfort can affect sleep, mood, and behavior. A child who is in pain may act out, withdraw, or struggle to focus.
Who to talk to: Pediatric GI specialist, pediatrician, nutritionist, or functional medicine provider. Testing may include stool analysis, food sensitivity testing, or abdominal imaging.
Stats: Studies estimate that 46% to 91% of autistic children have some form of GI issue.
🌚 Sleep Disorders
What to look for:
Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
Night waking, nightmares, restlessness
Daytime fatigue or difficulty waking
Snoring, teeth grinding, or pauses in breathing
Why it matters: Lack of sleep can intensify ASD symptoms like irritability, sensory sensitivity, attention difficulties, and mood swings.
Who to talk to: Sleep specialist, pediatrician, neurologist. A sleep study (polysomnography) may be recommended.
Stats: Up to 80% of children with autism experience sleep problems.
🧠 ADHD
What to look for:
High activity level, impulsivity
Trouble focusing or staying on task
Emotional reactivity, difficulty with transitions
Why it matters: ADHD and ASD often overlap, and untreated ADHD can increase frustration and behavioral challenges.
Who to talk to: Developmental pediatrician, psychologist, or psychiatrist. Behavior rating scales and interviews can help with diagnosis.
Stats: Research suggests 30-50% of children with ASD also meet criteria for ADHD.
😕 Anxiety & OCD
What to look for:
Excessive worry, phobias, or separation anxiety
Rigid routines or rituals
Repetitive behaviors that seem driven by fear or need for control
Why it matters: Anxiety and OCD can look like "meltdowns" or "stimming" but often come from a place of distress that can be eased with support.
Who to talk to: Child psychologist or psychiatrist, behavior therapist. Tools include interviews, observation, and standardized rating scales.
Stats: Up to 40% of autistic individuals have clinically significant anxiety.
🎧 Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
What to look for:
Overreaction to lights, sounds, textures
Avoiding certain clothing, food, or environments
Seeking sensory input (spinning, crashing, touching everything)
Why it matters: SPD can impact learning, social interaction, and behavior. It can also affect safety if children are unaware of their environment.
Who to talk to: Occupational therapist (OT) with experience in sensory integration.
Stats: About 69% to 95% of children with autism show signs of sensory processing issues.
😷 PANS/PANDAS
What to look for:
Sudden regression in behavior or skills
OCD-like behaviors, tics, severe anxiety
Mood swings, rage episodes, handwriting changes
Why it matters: These conditions are linked to inflammation in the brain triggered by infection. Treatment requires a medical approach, not just behavioral.
Who to talk to: Pediatric neurologist, immunologist, or integrative pediatrician. Testing may include strep titers, inflammatory markers, and immune panels.
Stats: Less common but often misdiagnosed; awareness is growing among providers.
🌿 Nutritional Deficiencies
What to look for:
Pale skin, dark circles under eyes, dry hair or skin
Cravings for non-foods (ice, dirt)
Fatigue, irritability, poor concentration
Why it matters: Nutrient gaps can worsen behavior, energy, focus, and immune function. Even selective eaters can benefit from assessment.
Who to talk to: Pediatrician, dietitian, or integrative doctor. Tests may include bloodwork for iron, zinc, B12, vitamin D, magnesium, and others.
Stats: Up to 70% of kids with ASD have selective eating, which increases risk of deficiencies.
⚡ Seizure Activity
What to look for:
Staring spells, sudden zoning out
Unusual movements or "spacing out"
Regression or plateauing in skills
Why it matters: Some seizures are very subtle and go unnoticed. They can affect learning, mood, and development.
Who to talk to: Pediatric neurologist. An EEG can help detect abnormal brain activity.
Stats: Seizures or abnormal EEG patterns are found in up to 30% of autistic individuals.
✅ A Simple Checklist to Help You Tune In
Sometimes it’s hard to know what’s just part of autism—and what might be something else going on in your child’s body. That’s why I created a simple Health Check-In Checklist for parents like you.
It’s not a diagnostic tool, and it’s not meant to overwhelm you. It’s just a gentle guide to help you notice patterns or red flags in areas like sleep, digestion, behavior, communication, movement, and more.
💡 Here’s how it can help:
It gives you a moment to pause and reflect on your child’s overall well-being
It helps you organize your thoughts if you’ve had concerns but weren’t sure how to bring them up
It gives your pediatrician or provider a clearer picture of what you’re noticing at home
If you check off a few boxes—or even just one that stands out—it might be worth a conversation with your child’s doctor. Sometimes kids with autism also have underlying conditions like GI issues, anxiety, ADHD, PANS/PANDAS, nutritional deficiencies, and more. These can easily be missed when everything gets labeled as “just autism.”
✨ You can download the checklist below. Print it out or fill it in digitally. It’s yours to use however feels right. Most of all, use it to advocate with confidence.
Download the Health Check-In Checklist:
You’re not alone in this journey—and noticing the small things can make a big difference. 💛
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