Co-morbid autism/schizophrenia ???

[mk64]

My son, age 12 was initially diagnosed with autism at appx. 26 months old; Feb of 2008 they tacked on child-onset schizophrenia due to a "break" and much psychological testing....has anyone else or does anyone know of anyone else with this co-morbid diagnosis. :?:

[DSM]

Yes, we have had two students in the past with this diagnosis. schizophrenia in children is all too common. It is distinguished from autism by the persistence of hallucinations and delusions for at least 6 months, and a later age of onset-7 years or older.

Nevertheless, it shares many similarities: Children with schizophrenia often see or hear things that do not really exist, and harbor paranoid and bizarre beliefs. For example, they may think people are plotting against them or can read their minds. Other symptoms of the disorder include problems paying attention, impaired memory and reasoning, speech impairments, inappropriate or flattened expression of emotion, poor social skills, and depressed mood. Such children may laugh at a sad event, make poor eye contact, and show little body language or facial expression.

[mk64]

Yes, that is how my son "presents"..all of it. Thank you for your reply !!!!!!

[Janice Adamson]

Having worked in the social services sector for ten years has given me some insight into this as well. I also have children with various disorders in varied degrees co-existing with each other, three of them also have some variant of ASD's.Within their genetic line both sides present with disorders, ASD's and mental health issues, all of which I believe is closely linked, neurologically.However, interesting to note that here in Canada unless your child has severe Autism, no diagnosis for ASD's can be made until seven years of age. I have seen schizophrenia co-exist with ASD's and/or other neuro-developmental disorders as well. -Janice