Co-Occurring Conditions in Autism Spectrum Disorder
A special issue of Behavioral Sciences (ISSN 2076-328X). This special issue belongs to the section "Experimental and Clinical Neurosciences".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 7
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Understanding autism through the lens of co-occurring conditions is critical for advancing comprehensive, person-centered care and generating actionable insights in research and practice. This Special Issue explores the complex intersections between autism and a wide array of co-occurring conditions, highlighting how these interactions shape diagnosis, support strategies, and outcomes. By focusing on these interconnections, the Issue aims to gather knowledge that can inform more effective, tailored support for autistic people.
High rates of co-occurring conditions in autism are well-documented. Some associations, such as epilepsy and learning differences, are long-recognized, while others—like mental health conditions, disordered eating, and gastrointestinal issues—are only recently receiving attention. Each co-occurring condition adds layers of complexity to the autism profile, influencing both how autism is expressed and what support is needed. Recognizing these complexities is essential for developing interventions, policies, and services that reflect the real-world needs of autistic people.
This Special Issue invites multidisciplinary perspectives from clinicians, researchers, educators, and advocates to examine the latest evidence, innovations, and debates in understanding co-occurring conditions in autism. We welcome empirical studies, theoretical contributions, clinical case studies, and reviews that illuminate the prevalence, mechanisms, or management of co-occurring conditions. By gathering diverse insights, this issue seeks to advance dialogue, highlight emerging research directions, and support holistic strategies that improve the well-being of autistic people across their lifespan.
Dr. Tanya L. Procyshyn
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Behavioral Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- autism
- ADHD
- anxiety
- depression
- eating disorders
- epilepsy
- gastrointestinal conditions
- learning differences
- sleep problems
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.