Some conditions may have symptoms similar to autism; therefore, professionals must be diligent when determining a diagnosis and its treatment.
Following is a list of related syndromes/disorders that manifest behaviors similar to those of autism and/or are more prevalent in individuals with autism:
- Cornelia deLange Sydrome: Cornelia deLange Syndrome Foundation
- Tourette’s Syndrome: Tourette’s Syndrome Association
- Fragile X Syndrome: The National Fragile X Foundation
- Williams Syndrome: The Williams Syndrome Association
- Down Syndrome: National Down Syndrome Society
- Tuberous Sclerosis: Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance
- Landau-Kleffner Syndrome: National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders
- Congenital Rubella Syndrome: Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults
- Untreated Phenylketonuria (PKU): Children’s PKU Network
- Kluver-Bucy Syndrome: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- Prader-Willi Syndrome: Prader-Willi Syndrome Association
- Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome: Lesch-Nyhan Disease Registry
- Rett Syndrome: http://www.rettsyndrome.org/
Although autism is commonly thought of as a mental health disorder, it is a whole-body condition, which can manifest through a number of physical symptoms and characteristics.