Catatonia in adolescent with autistic spectrum disorder: Diagnostic challenges

Abstract

Objective: Recent studies have shown that catatonia can occur in patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), but the similarity of the behavioral features among these disorders raises many diagnostic challenges. In clinical practice it is common to misinterpret catatonic symptoms, such as mutism, stereotypic speech, repetitive behaviors, echolalia, posturing, mannerisms, purposeless agitation and rigidity, as features of ASDs. Our aim was to review catatonia in autism spectrum disorders Method: A case-report is presented and discussed Results: Autistic disorder shares some symptoms with catatonia such as mutism, negativism, sterotypes. Catatonia in autism may therefore be a variant of the autistic condition.. Conclusion: Our report demonstrates that catatonia is recognisable in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders, although it faces diagnostic challenges.