How Does Autism Affect Physical Health?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that children are born with. It’s a lifelong disorder, meaning it is something that can’t be cured or that people grow out of as they get older.

In many ways, people think of autism as a mental health condition. At the same time, various scientific studies have been examining how the autistic brain is physically different in many ways than that of the neurotypical brain.

While individuals with autism see mental health professionals for their main treatment and support services — such as BCBAs who administer applied behavior analysis (ABA therapy) — there are many physical ailments that affect individuals with autism.

Many studies have found that individuals with autism face a myriad of health issues that can significantly shorten their life expectancy compared to their neurotypical peers. But, why is that?

Below, we’ll explore how autism affects physical health.

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What is the Link Between Autism and Physical Health?

In recent years, many scientific studies have inextricably linked mental health with physical health. When one’s mental health suffers, it can often manifest itself in physical ways.

People who suffer from anxiety and depression, for instance, may also be more prone to hypertension, diabetes and malnutrition.

This connection between mental and physical health provides a general explanation for why people with autism suffer from physical ailments, but it goes much deeper than that, actually.

A 2013 study by the University of Cambridge revealed that individuals with autism experience a broad “range of health vulnerabilities,” even more so than was thought of before the study. Individuals with autism, the study found, were more likely to face physical health conditions across every organ system.

This includes the gastrointestinal system, with conditions such as coeliac disease; the endocrine system, with conditions such as endometriosis; and the brain, with conditions such as chronic migraines.

Previous studies had suggested that individuals with autism were more likely to experience specific health conditions, such as sleep issues, epilepsy or seizure disorders and gastrointestinal issues.

Cambridge’s lead researchers said that their study was the first that shows that individuals with ASD are more likely than their neurotypical peers to experience what’s called “physical health multimorbidity,” which means having at least two physical health conditions.

How Does Autism Affect Physical Health?

The Cambridge study pointed out the end-results of autism and how it affects physical health. The question that remains, of course, is why does this happen.

A commonly-discussed reason is because the common symptoms of autism cause behaviors that affect mental health.

One of the major symptoms of autism is sensory sensitivities. This could involve children becoming overwhelmed by loud noises, and certain textures, smells and tastes. Some children with autism may conversely be attracted to those senses, seeking them out instead of avoiding them.

Those with hypersensitivity may have an aversion to certain foods and/or only eat certain foods. For instance, Autism Speaks points out that as many as 70% of children with autism have atypical eating behaviors, and the most common one is food selectivity.

This may mean that some children with ASD only eat very limited and/or specific foods because of their preferences and/or aversions for only some textures and tastes.

What this restricted eating pattern does is make it more challenging for individuals with autism to eat a healthy diet, which can lead to significant health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and more.

Similarly, the Cambridge study pointed out that individuals with ASD suffer from higher rates of “sensitivity syndromes,” which include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), tinnitus, fibromyalgia, migraines and temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ).

What Can Be Done for Children with Autism?

ABA therapy is considered the gold standard treatment options for children with ASD. The science-based approach to learning helps children build the social and communication skills they often struggle with, while also teaching them how to modify certain negative and/or harmful behaviors.

Therapists help support children with autism in a variety of ways, preparing them for school, for instance, or teaching them the skills they need to navigate their day-to-day life as independently as possible.

In addition, ABA therapy can help improve physical health outcomes for patients. For example, by helping children work through sensory sensitivities, therapists can help children eat a more well-rounded diet, which can lead to a reduced risk of suffering from some chronic conditions.

In other ways, ABA therapy can work to help children deal with the various symptoms of their physical health conditions, though some of these issues may need to be treated by medication.

Blue Gems ABA Supports Children with ASD in Many Ways

Autism can affect physical health in significant ways, as many research studies have shown in recent years. Some of these health conditions are a direct result of some of the common symptoms of autism itself.

At Blue Gems ABA, our team of experienced BCBAs administer ABA therapy to children with autism, helping them to overcome challenges they may have with communication, social interaction and sensory sensitivities.

To learn more, please contact us today.