Medical comorbidities in pediatric autism spectrum disorder

Youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have many and varied social, emotional, behavioral, and academic needs. In many cases, these children also have medical needs, adding to the level of care they require. Medical conditions commonly co-occur in children with ASD; some of the most common include epilepsy, gastrointestinal issues, sleep problems, and feeding disorders. The diagnosis and treatment of these conditions is often complicated by their ASD symptoms. The care and collaboration of professionals from multiple disciplines is needed to effectively conceptualize and treat these conditions. This chapter provides a review of common co-occurring medical conditions in children with ASD and highlights the need for interprofessional collaboration.