The experiences of autistic adults with chronic pain conditions

In this study, the author gained the views of 35 autistic adults suffering from chronic pain conditions. They were asked about their age at diagnosis for both conditions and whether these diagnoses were formal or informal. Questions then focused on the impact of these conditions on their lives and for details on sources of support, including their views on health care workers and the strategies they used to cope. It seems clear that having both conditions is very debilitating and adults can hide both from families and colleagues, thus often adding to their distress. The sample was almost entirely female and further research is needed to ascertain whether more females than males have both conditions and whether their experiences differ.