Autism and Co-existing Conditions in Children

Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) is not a mental health disorder. It’s a developmental condition which affects how people see the world and how they communicate and interact. Autistic people will often, but certainly not always, experience some mental health challenges.

It is estimated that around 70% of people with autism have one mental health condition (such as anxiety, ADHD, depression or OCD) and around 40% of the 70% will have more than one. Some of these mental health conditions begin in childhood and are sometimes referred to as co-occurring or co-existing conditions.

Early intervention can be extremely effective at limiting the effects of these co-existing mental health conditions. Watch our film which features an interview with Professor Emily Simonoff, Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at King’s College London, to find out more about autism and co-existing mental health conditions.

Find out more about Autism Spectrum Condition in Children, read and download our fact sheet, or watch more information films.

Or click through on these links to watch or read more about  ADHD, Anxiety, Depression or OCD in children.