As an autism consultant one of my lecture topics as a public speaker is anxiety disorders that can present as ‘part of the autism’. Anxiety disorders can be a contributing part of one’s ‘Autism Fruit Salad’.

Part of my consulting work is helping people understand which anxiety disorders may be occurring in specific children and adults diagnosed on the autism spectrum so that by directing people to the techniques and strategies shown to address these that person becomes better able to function and reach their fuller potential.

Anxiety disorders occur on and off the autism spectrum. Those who actually have these may be autistic or not and many anxiety disorders can be commonly called ‘the autism’ when in fact they are merely co-occurring with it, or being confused with it.

Here’s a list of addressable anxiety disorders commonly compounding how ‘autistic’ a person with autism may present:

ANXIETY

CATASTROPHIZING
EXPOSURE ANXIETY
GENERALISED ANXIETY DISORDER
PANIC DISORDER
SEPARATION ANXIETY DISORDER
SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER
SOCIAL PHOBIA

Donna Williams, BA Hons, Dip Ed.
Author, artist, singer-songwriter, screenwriter.
Autism consultant and public speaker.
http://www.donnawilliams.net

I acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Owners of this country throughout Australia, and their connection to land and community.