Hurdles to pain treatment for autistic patients

In contrast to neurotypical patients, the brains of neurodivergent people develop differently from the norm. Autism is defined as a form of neurodivergence. For them, deviant stimulus processing is the rule and a central but often underestimated feature of their disorder. Those affected often show an over- or under-responsiveness to sensory stimuli and an intense interest in sensory experiences. If an autism spectrum disorder is not recognized, this can lead to serious misdiagnosis, incorrect treatment and counter-indicated interventions.