Co-Occurring Physical Health Challenges in Neurodivergent Children and Young People: A Topical Review and Recommendation

• Published in: Child Care in Practice Vol. 29; no. 1; pp. 3 - 21
• Main Authors: Donaghy, Bethany, Moore, David, Green, Jane
• Format: Journal Article Book Review
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 02.01.2023; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Academic Achievement; ADHD; Attendance; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Autism; Autism Spectrum Disorders; Barriers; Behavior Problems; children and young people; Communication Skills; Comorbidity; DCD; gastrointestinal; Genetic Disorders; Health; Human Body; hypermobility; Literature reviews; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Neurodivergent; Neurodiversity; pain; Physical Health; Social development; Student Needs; Students with Disabilities; Symptoms (Individual Disorders); Teachers; Youth
• ISSN: 1357-5279; 1476-489X
• DOI: 10.1080/13575279.2022.2149471

Neurodivergence has been established as associated with a significant number of co-occurring physical conditions, particularly for autistic individuals who are at risk for increased pain, hypermobility (including Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) and gastrointestinal problems. However, data, so far, has been focused on adults and generally limited to discussions of condition prevalence alone. The following article will present a topical review of the literature considering evidence for increased physical health concerns within neurodivergent populations, particularly autistic individuals, with a focus on the impact that these physical health concerns may have in an educational setting. The impact of physical health concerns within neurodivergent populations in an educational setting may be concerning. Such populations may face a range of challenges in obtaining appropriate support for physical conditions. We discuss a number of said challenges including; communication challenges, misattributing physical health symptoms as a part of neurodivergence, and a history of not being believed, which limits symptomatic reporting. We further consider the potential impact these physical health concerns may have on scholastic and social development, such as impacts for attainment and attendance. Furthermore, we provide recommendations for teachers, parents/carers and other allied professionals in young people's lives, on supporting young neurodivergent people with physical health concerns.