OCD and Autism Spectrum Disorder References 

Individuals with comorbid OCD and ASD experience more of the following symptoms: 
- Hoarding (studies have mixed findings)
- Symmetry 
- Repeating

OCD and Autism Spectrum Disorder Co-Morbidity: Different Symptoms

Studies have had mixed findings on whether there are gender differences in the rates of OCD and ASD co-morbidity. Some studies found that amongst children and adolescents, there is no gender difference in the rates of OCD and ASD co-morbidity in boys and girls, despite ASD being known to be more common in boys. Others found that boys are more likely to experience co-morbid OCD and ASD than girls. 

OCD and Autism Spectrum Disorder Co-Morbidity: Gender Differences 

Individuals with co-morbid OCD and ASD were more likely to have comorbid ADHD and tic disorders as well. 

OCD and Autism Spectrum Disorder Co-morbidity:  Other Disorders 

Studies have found that 8-25% of individuals with OCD also have autism spectrum disorder. Furthermore, individuals with OCD are four times as likely to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder later on.

Xavier University

A 2019 study by Gadelkarim et al. examined the presence of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) traits among patients diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The study found that out of their sixty-seven subjects, twenty-four (35%) met the criteria for a diagnosis of OCPD in addition to OCD, and twenty-one (31.34%) met the criteria for an ASD diagnosis. The most frequently overlapping traits of OCPD and OCD included over-conscientiousness, perfectionism, preoccupation with detail, rigidity, and need for control. For those meeting the criteria for both OCPD and ASD, attention-switching, attention to detail, and social communication were all significantly impacted. Common traits in those with all three disorders included workaholism, perfectionism, preoccupation with detail, and rigidity. In conclusion, OCD, OCPD, and ASD overlap significantly and share many key traits, and understanding how they overlap may help with providing accurate diagnoses and effective treatments for those who have one or more of these disorders. 

Overlaps between OCPD, OCD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder

Hojgaard, D.R.M.A, Arildskov, T.W., Skarphedinsson, G., Hybel, K.A., Ivarsson, T., Weidle, B., Melin, K., Torp, N.C., & Thomsen. (2023). Do autistic traits predict outcome of cognitive behavioral therapy in pediatric obsessive compulsive disorder?. Research on Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, 51. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-023-01078-5.

Do Autistic Traits Predict Outcome of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Pediatric Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

- OCD rituals can resemble the repetitive behaviors that are common in Autism 
- People who have autism are twice as likely to be diagnosed with OCD later in their lives according to a study in 2015
- People who have OCD are four times as likely to be diagnosed with autism 
- People with either condition can have unusual responses to sensory experiences
- Social difficulties that people with autism experience can create anxiety, which is a component of OCD

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