Interdisciplinary collaboration is an essential component for a person-centered approach in the context of co-occurring conditions. This article reviews considerations for collaboration throughout assessment and intervention planning, implementation, and ongoing monitoring to achieve best outcomes.

Studies have found that between 20 and 30 percent of people with eating disorders also have autism or display signs of the condition. Dr. Clair Jack, PhD, an autistic therapist and training provider, identifies risk factors for developing eating disorders and speaks to the unique needs of autistic individuals to help shape therapeutic interventions.

The pervasive lack of awareness of catatonia in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) causes misdiagnosis, or a failure to diagnose the condition, resulting in inappropriate treatment. Catatonia is recognized as an associated feature of ASD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition; DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Individuals with ASD who develop catatonia exhibit a deterioration of skills across all areas of development; in severe cases the autonomic system is compromised. Research suggests promising and effective treatments for this potential comorbid syndrome in individuals with ASD (Downey & McDonald, 2022).

Though I am autistic, my co-occurring depression and anxiety cause me much more discomfort on a daily basis. This piece is about what it feels like to live with depression for a day. Over a lifetime, this day is played out endless times for those of us who live with depression.