Autism is a complex developmental disorder causing a wide spectrum of signs and symptoms in your child. Our developmental pediatrician Dr. Alison Smoller can diagnose and help you manage your child’s autism. Developmental Pediatrics of Central Jersey proudly serves patients from all over the state of New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Medical Conditions Which Are Associated With Autism

According to Autism Speaks, there are several medical conditions which are associated with autism, including:

Gastrointestinal problems, which are 8 times more common in children with autism. GI issues include chronic constipation, abdominal pain, GERD, and bowel inflammation.

Epilepsy, which affects about a third of children with autism. Epilepsy characteristics include staring, involuntary movements, confusion, and severe headaches.

Feeding issues, which affect 7 out of 10 children who are autistic. Characteristics include avoidance of some tastes and textures of foods, eating non-foods, and overeating.

Disrupted sleep, which affects over 50 percent of children with autism, who have trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which affects 30 to 60 percent of children with autism, causing difficulty with focus, organization, and learning.

Anxiety, which affects up to 42 percent of children with autism, potentially causing a racing heartbeat, muscle tension, stomach aches, and other symptoms.

Depression, which affects about 7 percent of children with autism, causing loss of interest in once pleasurable activities, chronic sadness, and other symptoms.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), causing repetitive actions and other signs and symptoms.

Bipolar disorder, which causes severe mood swings from mania to depression.

Down syndrome (DS), which can affect about 16 to 18 percent of children with autism.

Autism management and treatment begins with a screening procedure to identify whether your child has autism. The screening is performed at 18 months and 24 months old. It can be included as part of your child’s regular well-child visits.

Contact Our Office Today

To find out more about medical conditions associated with autism and how our developmental pediatrician can help, call Dr. Alison Smoller at Developmental Pediatrics of Central Jersey, serving residents of Oakhurst and Monmouth County, New Jersey. You can reach her in the office by calling (732) 660-0220, so call today.