When supporting PDAers, it\u2019s important to recognise the impact co-occurring conditions and diagnostic overshadowing can have. Understanding that people can experience more than one condition, and so need support that is personalised to them individually, can lead to better support and outcomes.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2d.-Co-occuring-conditions.png” alt=”Two overlapping pink speech bubbles with a wavy line beneath them appear on a teal square with rough edges, set against a light blue background.communication.” title_text=”2d. Co-occurring conditions” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”15px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” border_radii=”on|24px|24px|24px|24px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”gcid-d4d84b5e-d061-48e7-894c-a52b4e3d47de” custom_padding=”80px||80px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”80px||80px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-d4d84b5e-d061-48e7-894c-a52b4e3d47de%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||16px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”32px||15px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”15px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]
A PDA profile of autism rarely exists in isolation<\/span>. Many PDAers will have more than one diagnosis. This could be something like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), or an anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). They might also be experiencing chronic stress, social isolation, or trauma.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||16px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]In some cases, there is a risk of diagnostic overshadowing. This describes when everything someone is experiencing is attributed to one cause, when in fact there are more.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||16px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]For example, a PDAer might also be experiencing:[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] Remembering that PDA characteristics exist alongside other challenges helps everyone tailor their approach. Recognising overlapping challenges increases the likelihood of your support being effective.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”gcid-9868c831-dc08-4be7-96b8-e0cb537cb9dc” custom_padding=”80px||80px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”80px||80px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-9868c831-dc08-4be7-96b8-e0cb537cb9dc%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”What are co-occurring conditions?” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||32px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||16px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”32px||15px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”15px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]Co-occurring conditions (sometimes called comorbidities) refer to additional medical, physical or mental health conditions that can exist alongside a primary condition like PDA. Many PDAers experience other challenges that may affect their behaviour, emotions, and daily life.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||16px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]Common co-occurring conditions for PDAers include (but are not limited to):[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] For a PDAer, diagnostic overshadowing can feel confusing or invalidating. When other conditions are not recognised, the support offered may not address their actual needs.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Caveat||||||||” text_text_color=”gcid-body-color” text_font_size=”36px” text_line_height=”36px” background_color=”gcid-058c7b04-a817-4f24-a04f-816a792f38a0″ text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”0px||24px||false|false” custom_padding=”40px|40px|40px|40px|false|false” border_radii=”on|24px|24px|24px|24px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-058c7b04-a817-4f24-a04f-816a792f38a0%22:%91%22background_color%22%93,%22gcid-body-color%22:%91%22text_text_color%22%93,%22gcid-1210fe9f-27a8-44c2-957c-8d39d1a3b13a%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”] <\/p>\n The important thing is to remember that every PDAer is a unique human being and that while PDA may impact on every part of their life, it won\u2019t be the only thing that does. Their personality, lived experiences and any other conditions they have alongside PDA will contribute to how they feel and behave.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”] When a PDAer is experiencing something that is having a negative impact on their life that you or they do not believe is wholly attributable to PDA it is always ok to ask for help understanding what is going on, and finding ways to make life easier.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When supporting PDAers, it\u2019s important to recognise the impact co-occurring conditions and diagnostic overshadowing can have. Understanding that people can experience more than one condition, and so need support that is personalised to them individually, can lead to better support and outcomes.A PDA profile of autism rarely exists in isolation. Many PDAers will have more than one diagnosis. This could be something like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), or an anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). They might also be experiencing chronic stress, social isolation, or trauma.In some cases, there is a risk of diagnostic overshadowing. This describes when everything someone is experiencing is attributed to one cause, when in fact there are more.For example, a PDAer might also be experiencing: Undiagnosed depression or anxiety: a person\u2019s reluctance to engage may be partly driven by underlying low mood, panic attacks, or intrusive thoughts. Trauma responses: previous adverse life events could still be having an impact. PTSD symptoms might intensify the urge to evade demands. Socioeconomic pressures: things like unemployment, housing insecurity, or social isolation can create additional barriers. This can make it difficult to access treatment or support. Remembering that PDA characteristics exist alongside other […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":0,"parent":7829,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"course_tag":[315,350],"class_list":["post-10059","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","course_tag-co-occurring-conditions","course_tag-salt"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10059","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10059"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10059\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7829"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10059"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"course_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/course_tag?post=10059"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n
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How can I help?<\/span><\/h2>\n