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Both autism and schizophrenia can manifest as unusual or atypical behaviors as well as self-isolation orsocial withdrawal.
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Someone might exhibit these symptoms even if they only meet the criteria for one diagnosis.
Additionally, sometimes autistic people who do not experience psychotic symptoms getmisdiagnosedwith schizophrenia.
Some measures used to test for hallucinations and delusions are worded in a way that can mislead autistic respondents.
Researchers continue to explore this connection and increase our understanding of the connection between autism and schizophrenia.
Diagnosing Autism and Schizophrenia
Evaluating for autism andschizophreniacan be complicated.
An individual may have one or both diagnoses, or they may have neither.
An individual might be identified as autistic in early childhood and then develop schizophrenia in adulthood.
They might also go unidentified through childhood and not realize that they are autistic until after developing schizophrenia.
A psychologist or psychiatrist can evaluate for both autism andschizophrenia.
Forchildren, a developmental pediatrician can also diagnose autism.Adultscan also be tested for autism.
People with schizophrenia might requireantipsychotic medicationto manage hallucinations or delusions.
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American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
American Psychiatric Association; 2013.
