Association for Behavior Analysis International

Autism and comorbidity with other competing diagnoses is a prevalent clinical situation most Behaviour Analysts encounter within intervention and educational settings. The comorbidity may be clearly recognized diagnostically from a DSM-IV criteria perspective or presented merely as influencing and/or disrupting secondary characteristics to Autism. As Behaviour Analysts, it is our clinical and ethical obligation to be aware of all behavioural diagnoses and impacting characteristics that influence the selection of treatment alternatives and ultimately the treatment outcomes. It is paramount that we seek experience in recognizing, separating, and intertwining treatment options to optimally treat both the inter-relatedness and the distinctiveness of all presenting diagnoses. Four panelists will address distinct diagnoses frequently co-presenting with Autism: Giftedness, Stuttering, Anxiety and Attention Deficit Disorder. A case analysis will be presented by each panelist utilizing a uniform format across panelists. A systematic evaluative structure will be presented to illustrate methods utilized to determine the function and impact of each presenting disorder. How each disorder influences behavioural expression will be explored while emphasizing the need to ultimately implement integrated and comprehensive behavioural treatment services. Relevance and irrelevance for co-morbid considerations must both be ultimately explored.