It’s not uncommon to be confused as to whether the behaviours you’re seeing in your child are a result of autism, or some other mental health issue. Sometimes these conditions overlap. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complicated neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by repetitive behaviors, differences with social communication, and narrowed interests. Anxiety and depression, on the other hand, can sometimes manifest themselves in complementary ways. Both as a cause and as an effect. The two conditions often coexist with autism. It is becoming more acknowledged that individuals with ASD often experience co-occurring mental health conditions. What further complicates things is that the interplay between neurodivergence and these mental health issues is often intricate and multifaceted. At Monarch House’s autism Burlington clinic we offer multiple services and autism therapies to address autism and some of these concurrent factors.

Let’s examine ten ways in which ASD can be comorbid with anxiety and depression.

1. Sensory Overload

Sometimes the neurodivergent conditions that present themselves in children with autism lead directly to the anxiety or depression they’re experiencing. For instance, many individuals with autism have exceptionally heightened (and diminished) sensory sensitivities. This can make them overly sensitive to bright lights, loud noises, weird smells, or rough textures. As a result of these sensitivities, they can experience sensory overload. This can be a significant source of stress and anxiety. In turn, this ongoing sensory overload can contribute to feelings of depression should the stress become unmanageable or chronic.

2. Social Challenges

Your child with autism might be especially standoffish or awkward in group settings. Social interaction difficulties are a core feature of ASD. Understanding social cues, initiating and maintaining conversations, or forming meaningful relationships are some of the issues that Individuals with autism may struggle with. The ensuing feelings of social rejection and isolation can contribute to anxiety and depression. Mental health issues can be further aggravated by the  constant struggle to fit in and be understood. At Monarch House, we offer social skills programs for young adults with autism and social skills programs for children with autism. (We work with all ages.)

3. Difficulty With Change

In the movie, Rain Man, Dustin Hoffman plays a man with autism who becomes agitated when there are any changes to his routine. Fish sticks are on Wednesdays! To establish a sense of security in their lives, individuals with ASD often look to routines and predictability to maintain a sense of order. Anything unplanned or spontaneous that causes changes in routine  or disruptions to their daily rituals can cause significant stress and anxiety. If these disruptions are frequent or severe, they can also contribute to depressive symptoms. It’s not uncommon for the individual to feel overwhelmed and helpless when it comes to managing these changes. At Monarch House, we offer occupational therapy for children with autism as well as behavioural analysts and psychotherapists to help them work through new routines.

4. Cognitive Rigidity

Does your child get their mind set on something and just can’t let it go? Cognitive rigidity, or the difficulty in shifting thinking patterns and adapting to new situations, is common in ASD. Spikes in anxiety can happen when the child is faced with new or unpredictable scenarios that they are not ready for. The more cognitive rigidity hinders effective problem-solving or coping, the more likely it is to result in feelings of frustration and potentially, depression.

5. Communication Barriers

 At Monarch House we offer communication strategies for children with autism. This is because effective communication is an absolute necessity for a human being. It is our way of conveying our emotional expressions and how we ask for help when we need it. Many individuals with ASD face challenges with verbal and nonverbal communication, which can impede their ability to make meaningful relationships and express themselves. This can result in increased frustration and isolation. And where you have increased frustration and isolation, you have anxiety and depression.

6. Perfectionism

Everyone wants to work with a perfectionist. Their standards are infectious. And they make for good leaders. However, there is a limit. Some individuals with autism get too caught up in the need to be perfect, all the time (on certain tasks) and this becomes detrimental. Children with autism tend to lean towards this notion of having perfectionistic tendencies. Often they strive for (sometimes unreasonably) high standards in various aspects of their lives. It’s not always attainable. The pressure to meet these often unrealistic expectations can lead to anxiety and a looming sense of inadequacy. Failure to meet these expectations can be catastrophic. The resulting frustration can also lead to depressive symptoms—particularly if the child internalizes their failures. At Monarch House we have specialists that offer behavioiural therapy for children with autism.

7. High Stress Levels

It’s not easy to have autism. Life is infinitely more stressful when you’re walking to the beat of your own drummer. Sometimes society just doesn’t get you, and this can lead to a lot of frustration and aggravation. The daily challenges that come with having ASD symptoms—such as unrequited sensory sensitivities, navigating social interactions, playground etiquette for children with autism, and routine disruptions—can lead to high levels of chronic stress. This ongoing stress can trigger or exacerbate anxiety and depression. This can worsen if there is insufficient support or coping strategies in place. At Monarch House we have occupational therapy for children with autism as well as behavioural analysts and psychotherapists to help them navigate these stressors. 

8. Inadequate Coping Mechanisms

At Monarch House, we can provide daily living skills for children with autism so they will feel more confident in their day-to-day, and be better equipped to handle the stress of being atypical. We can help them develop coping strategies. This is crucial for managing stress and emotions. Ineffective coping mechanisms can lead to increased vulnerability to anxiety and depression, as the individual may struggle to manage their emotional and psychological well-being.

9. Social Stigma

Being left out sucks. Getting rejected or ignored by a group of friends is one of the worst feelings. Especially with children. This is one of the cruel realities of life as a child with autism. It’s going to happen. Children with autism regularly face alienation due to the social stigma of their condition and are often simply avoided or misunderstood. This can have a detrimental impact on their self-esteem and sense of belonging. Trying to navigate a world that is harsh and foreign—and often not at all accommodating— can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and depression. Your child’s unfortunate experiences with this stigma can lead to worsened mental health if they internalize these negative perceptions. At Monarch House, we believe all individuals have strengths and superpowers.  We offer an accepting space and can help your child with some bullying strategies for children with autism.

10. Co-occurring Conditions

Autism doesn’t happen in a vacuum. There are other symptoms and conditions that often run parallel. For instance, ASD frequently coexists with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and various learning disabilities. With this comes increased susceptibility to anxiety and depression. After all, these additional challenges can compound the difficulties faced by individuals with ASD. Such as play skill development at home for children with autism. Because of the complexity of managing multiple conditions, this can create an environment ripe for mental health issues to develop or worsen, 

At Monarch House we work with a variety of developmental disabilities, including autism, and ADHD, so we are very familiar with the overlap between neurodivergence, anxiety, and depression. We have an interdisciplinary team consisting of occupational therapy, behavioural therapy, psychotherapy, and speech therapy that works with children experiencing this domino effect of symptoms. The comorbidity of ASD with anxiety and depression is an especially critical area of focus for us. Understanding these interconnections is key to providing effective support and interventions. Monarch House’s autism Burlington clinic addresses the unique needs of individuals with ASD through tailored therapeutic strategies, support systems, and empathetic approaches. Together, we offer a holistic model that can help mitigate the impact of these co-occurring mental health conditions and improve overall well-being.