Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia in Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder”

This paper hypothesizes that many PWD may have lived with undiagnosed mild autism, coping adequately until neurodegeneration undermines their learned strategies. Managing mild dementia may also involve addressing comorbid autism symptoms, such as RRB and SCI difficulties. Viewing BPSD partly from the perspective of ASD offers a novel approach to understanding and managing these symptoms. This intersection presents a critical area for future research as current dementia assessments often fail to capture the full spectrum of ASD-like behaviors, necessitating adaptations in dementia care to address potential comorbidities.