Autism Acceptance Month

April is Autism Acceptance Month. Research continues to show that people with joint hypermobility, Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS), and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) are more likely to be autistic than would be expected by chance. A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis by Carolina Baeza-Velasco et al, found that approximately 31% of autistic individuals exhibit joint hypermobility, and about 39% of people with EDS or HSD meet diagnostic criteria for autism.

The study also noted that over 20% of mothers with EDS or HSD have autistic children, a rate similar to that of mothers who are autistic themselves—suggesting a possible shared genetic or biological link. You can read the review here: Autism in the context of joint hypermobility, hypermobility spectrum disorders, and Ehlers–Danlos syndromes (2025)

These findings add to earlier research by Brighton and Sussex Medical School, led by Dr. Jessica Eccles, which found that over 50% of people with a diagnosis of autism, ADHD, or Tourette syndrome showed elevated levels of joint hypermobility, compared to just 20% of the general population. That study also highlighted significantly higher levels of chronic pain and dysautonomia among neurodivergent participants—linked to the number of hypermobile joints. Medical professionals should be aware of these links. It is important because autistic individuals may present with symptoms that could be explained by a co-occurring hypermobility-related condition like EDS or HSD—and vice versa.

These symptoms may include:

• Easy bruising
• Chronic pain
• Proprioceptive dysfunction
• Gastrointestinal issues (e.g., diarrhoea, constipation)
• Autonomic dysfunction

At The Ehlers-Danlos Society, we continue to raise awareness among medical professionals and our community about the relationship between autism and joint hypermobility. We do this through our events, EDS ECHO programmes, and by supporting researchers through surveys and funding open-access publications.