Tourette Syndrome Support Group

Anxiety

Anxiety is extremely common among individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome. According to Tony Attwood, “We know that more people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD, e.g. Asperger’s syndrome, autism) experience anxiety and depression than people who do not have ASD.” Anxiety can take the form of obsessive-compulsive disorder, specific fears and phobias, and generalized anxieties.

Depression

According to an SMHAI study, approximately 1 in 15 individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome also meet the diagnostic criteria for depression. It is unknown exactly what causes the depression but it is likely that it is a combination between the individual’s realization of their difference from their peers and the ostracizing that occurs from these peers. Bullying is an extremely common problem among individuals with AS; this bullying could very likely lead to an increased rate of depression among the AS population.

Dyspraxia

Sometimes called motor-planning disorder, dyspraxia is seen in a large majority of individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome. In fact motor clumsiness is so common that one diagnostic model for Asperger’s Syndrome, Gillberg’s Criteria for Asperger’s Disorder, includes motor clumsiness as a symptom which must be present in order for an individual to receive an AS diagnosis

Tourette’s Syndrome

Although not seen as commonly as ADHD and anxiety disorders, it is not unusual to see individuals with Tourette’s syndrome as well as Asperger’s Syndrome. Tourette’s syndrome is characterized by repetitive vocal and motor tics.

These six conditions exist in the general public and in the absence of Asperger’s Syndrome. However, the rate of diagnosis among individuals with AS is unusually high when compared with those not on the spectrum. In time, scientists hope to better understand the link between these conditions.

For more Asperger's Syndrome and autism resources read Exploring the Autism Spectrum and Online Autism Screening