Posttraumamatic Stress Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Clinical Guide for Co-morbidity and Diagnosis

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are common psychiatric disorders seen in adults and children. Both disorders can have a major impact on a child's life, as they can cause functional impairment. PTSD is a disorder that occurs after an individual experiences a traumatic event(s), whereas ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that develops in early childhood. Although these disorders are quite different, the symptomology can often look similar. The similarity of symptoms in ASD and PTSD contributes to the disorders often being misdiagnosed, especially for individuals who have a co-morbid diagnosis of ASD and PTSD. This study focuses on children since ASD is most commonly diagnosed in childhood and PTSD often occurs in childhood. An early diagnosis is important for early treatment. This review will discuss the complex diagnostic features of PTSD and ASD, the symptom similarity and comorbidity of these disorders, the barriers and importance of accurately diagnosing the disorders, and the need for clinical guidance when assessing for these disorders for children.