AOCCN 2025: Exploring Co-morbidities in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Clinical Retrospective Perspective

Presenter: Dr. Sheffali Gulati

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects approximately 1 in 44 children globally and 1 in 89 in India. Co-morbidities are common, worsen behaviour, and increase mortality risk, but early treatment improves outcomes.

This retrospective study at AIIMS Autism Clinic (Jan 2017–Jun 2025) analyzed 2,648 individuals (83.4% males; median age 5.6 years). Co-morbidities were present in 82.9%, with 33.5% having multiple. Common psychiatric co-morbidities included ADHD (49.81%) and Specific Learning Disability (13.1%); neurological issues included global developmental delay (58.5%) and epilepsy (9.75%). Post-therapy, severe ASD cases reduced from 1,227 to 735; CARS scores improved from 36.27±5.28 to 34.21±4.61 (p<0.0001), indicating significant clinical benefit.

AOCCN 2025, September 17th-20th 2025, New Delhi, India.