Co-Occurring Physical Health Challenges in Neurodivergent Children and Young People: A Topical Review and Recommendation
Donaghya, Moore and and Green (2023)
Neurodivergence has been linked to a significant number of co-occurring physical conditions. Autistic individuals are at risk for increased pain, hypermobility (including Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) and gastrointestinal problems. Research has focused on adults and generally limited to discussions of condition prevalence alone. This article presents a review of the literature and examines evidence for increased physical health concerns within the neurodivergent population, and notably Autistic people within an educational setting. The neurodivergent population may face difficulties getting appropriate support for physical conditions. The Authors discuss a number of these challenges including: Communication, misattributing health symptoms to neurodivergence, a history of not being believed. The authors consider the impact health issues may have on educational and social development and provide recommendations for teachers, parents and professionals on supporting neurodivergent young people with physical health concerns.
