This from my daughter - Daisy

April is FND Awareness month & Autism Acceptance month.

As someone who lives with both I wanted to raise awareness and share some information

Here are five key facts about autism:

Autism is a Spectrum with Diverse Traits: It is not a single type of behavior, but a wide spectrum of characteristics, meaning some autistic people may need significant daily support, while others can live independently.

It is a Lifelong Condition Caused by Brain Differences: Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition present from birth, though often diagnosed later, that causes the brain to process information differently.

Autism is Primarily Genetic: Evidence suggests autism is highly genetic, often involving multiple genes rather than a single cause. It is not caused by vaccines or parenting styles.

Sensory Sensitivities are Common: Many autistic individuals experience hyper- (over) or hypo- (under) sensitivity to sights, sounds, smells, or textures, which can make environments overwhelming.

Repetitive Behaviours and Intense

Interests Can Be Beneficial: Known as "stimming" (self-stimulation), behaviours like rocking or hand-flapping can help regulate emotions, reduce stress, and provide comfort

Key Facts About FND:

What is FND: It is a problem with the functioning of the nervous system, affecting how the brain sends and receives information.

Symptoms: Common symptoms include involuntary movements (tremors, dystonia, twitchy), limb weakness, paralysis, seizures (functional/dissociative), gait issues, speech difficulties, and cognitive impairment.

Diagnosis: It is diagnosed by specialists through positive clinical findings that show the nervous system is not functioning correctly, rather than just ruling out other diseases.

Commonality: FND is common, representing one of the leading causes of disability in neurology clinics.

Treatment: Although there is no cure, many individuals improve with a multidisciplinary approach, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and psychological therapies (like CBT).

Cause: The exact cause is complex, often involving a combination of factors, sometimes triggered by physical injury, illness, or stress/trauma but often occurring without a single clear cause.

Real Symptoms: FND symptoms are involuntary, very real, and can be life-changing, despite often showing no damage on standard MRI scans

An interesting question - Is there a link between FND and Autism ?

Yes, research indicates a significant, growing connection between Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with studies suggesting a higher prevalence of autistic traits in FND populations compared to the general population. They are distinct conditions, but commonly co-occur in both children and adults, potentially due to shared mechanisms involving sensory, emotional, and neurobiological processing.

(City St George's, University of London)

Key Connections and Overlaps:

Prevalence: Studies show a notable proportion of individuals with FND have autism or autistic traits, with one study finding 8% of adults with FND had a previous ASD diagnosis.

Shared Traits: Both conditions share characteristics such as alexithymia (difficulty identifying/describing emotions), altered interoception (sensitivity to internal bodily sensations), and cognitive rigidity.

Mechanism: FND in autistic individuals may be linked to the "Bayesian brain" theory, where autistic individuals may be more vulnerable to sensory prediction errors, leading to symptoms like functional seizures or weakness.

Management: Recognizing this link is important for treatment, as it suggests a need for tailored, autism-informed care for patients with FND