Exploring the Autism and Functional Neurological Disorder Association: Considerations from Biopsychosocial, Neuropsychological and Computational Models
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| Title: | Exploring the Autism and Functional Neurological Disorder Association: Considerations from Biopsychosocial, Neuropsychological and Computational Models |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Richard H. Cole (ORCID |
| Source: | Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. 2026 30(2):269-284. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 16 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Evaluative |
| Descriptors: | Autism Spectrum Disorders, Neurological Impairments, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Physical Health, Mental Health, Neurology, Psychiatry, Psychomotor Skills, Psychological Patterns, Cognitive Processes, Sensory Integration, Responses, Influences, Models, Prediction |
| DOI: | 10.1177/13623613251393504 |
| ISSN: | 1362-3613 1461-7005 |
| Abstract: | Evidence is accumulating regarding an association between autism and functional neurological disorder, a common cause for a wide range of neurological symptoms affecting motor, sensory and cognitive systems. Symptoms can include paralysis, tremors, sensory disturbance, vision loss and dizziness. Functional neurological disorder exists at the complex intersection of physical and mental health, neurology and psychiatry, and body and mind. Despite a recent resurgence in clinical and scientific interest, functional neurological disorder has lagged behind other causes of neurological symptoms in research, service development and acceptance. The nature of the association between autism and functional neurological disorder remains uncertain, but several plausible mechanisms can be identified from overlapping areas of research, highlighting endogenous factors such as atypical interoception, motor function, emotional processing and sensorimotor integration, alongside exogenous influences including adversity, healthcare inequality and stigma. This review first provides an overview of functional neurological disorder through various explanatory frameworks before applying biopsychosocial, neuropsychological and computational perspectives to conceptualise its intersection with autism. It then considers how this association might be understood and explores how services could be adapted to better recognise and support autistic individuals with functional neurological disorder across the diagnostic and treatment pathway. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1494563 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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| Abstract: | Evidence is accumulating regarding an association between autism and functional neurological disorder, a common cause for a wide range of neurological symptoms affecting motor, sensory and cognitive systems. Symptoms can include paralysis, tremors, sensory disturbance, vision loss and dizziness. Functional neurological disorder exists at the complex intersection of physical and mental health, neurology and psychiatry, and body and mind. Despite a recent resurgence in clinical and scientific interest, functional neurological disorder has lagged behind other causes of neurological symptoms in research, service development and acceptance. The nature of the association between autism and functional neurological disorder remains uncertain, but several plausible mechanisms can be identified from overlapping areas of research, highlighting endogenous factors such as atypical interoception, motor function, emotional processing and sensorimotor integration, alongside exogenous influences including adversity, healthcare inequality and stigma. This review first provides an overview of functional neurological disorder through various explanatory frameworks before applying biopsychosocial, neuropsychological and computational perspectives to conceptualise its intersection with autism. It then considers how this association might be understood and explores how services could be adapted to better recognise and support autistic individuals with functional neurological disorder across the diagnostic and treatment pathway. |
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| ISSN: | 1362-3613 1461-7005 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/13623613251393504 |
