Autism & POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)

Imagine standing up from a chair and feeling your heart race, your head spin, and your energy drain in seconds. Now imagine handling those moments while also living with Autism, where sensory sensitivities, daily social demands, and episodes of autism dizziness can already feel overwhelming.

This is the reality for some individuals on the autism spectrum who also experience Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, or POTS. Research shows autonomic issues like POTS appear more often in people with Autism than in the general population. Experiences such as dizziness or fainting episodes are not uncommon. In this article, we’ll explore this connection, highlight overlapping symptoms, and show how tracking patterns with apps bring clearer insights to your doctor.

The Morning Routine: Thomas’s Real-World Experience

Take Thomas, an adult on the autism spectrum. Mornings had always been difficult. Every time he stood up, the room seemed to spin. His heart hammered. He felt shaky. At first, he chalked it up to anxiety about unpredictable schedules, something many people on the spectrum experience.

One morning, the lightheadedness became intense. He nearly fell. This wasn’t just anxiety. The persistent “off” feeling started interfering with his routine, and he missed work. A specialist measured a sharp heart rate increase upon standing and diagnosed him with POTS. This rapid heart rate is called tachycardia.

Thomas’s sensory sensitivities made it worse. The pounding heart and rush of blood in his ears felt overwhelming. It often led to a shutdown where he couldn’t focus or speak. This shows how POTS symptoms can intensify daily struggles. After tracking his salt intake and pacing his movements with an app, he noticed fewer near-fainting episodes.

The Link Between POTS and Autism

Studies suggest individuals on the spectrum may be more prone to autonomic dysfunction than the general population. Dysautonomia, or autonomic dysfunction, affects automatic bodily functions. It controls heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion. One study found over 80% of people on the spectrum referred to specialty clinics had an autonomic condition (Eccles et al., 2021).

A UK study showed about one-third of adults on the spectrum assessed were diagnosed with POTS, with many others showing related conditions. Some individuals also had very flexible joints, a condition sometimes called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Studies suggest that having very flexible joints can increase the likelihood of experiencing issues with the autonomic nervous system, including POTS (Mathias et al., 2012).

Experts are still learning why these conditions overlap. Possible causes include differences in nervous system regulation, sensory processing, or immune system involvement (Sotzny et al., 2018). The link between autonomic dysfunction and Autism needs more study, but dizziness, fatigue, and palpitations deserve attention.

Shared Symptoms: Why the Confusion?

Though POTS and Autism are different, their symptoms can overlap, making it tricky to tell them apart.

Fatigue and Low Energy

Both conditions can bring severe fatigue. Around 91% of POTS patients report exhaustion. People on the spectrum may feel tired from sensory overload, social demands, or executive function strain. Combined, these factors can be overwhelming. Rest and pacing are key.

Dizziness and Lightheadedness

Dizziness is common in POTS, especially when standing. People on the spectrum may feel lightheaded during sensory overwhelm. Causes differ, but the result looks similar: imbalance, weakness, or loss of focus that disrupts daily life. Fainting episodes are a serious symptom requiring medical evaluation.

Difficulty with Focus and Memory

POTS can cause “brain fog” from reduced blood flow to the brain. Autism can affect attention, memory, and task-switching. Together, focus issues may worsen, making it hard to tell if concentration problems stem from blood flow, mental effort, or both.

Anxiety-Like Sensations

Both conditions can produce body sensations similar to anxiety: racing heart, shakiness, or restlessness. In POTS, this may occur even without emotional stress. In Autism, sensory overload and unpredictable surroundings can heighten tension. Tracking symptoms with an app helps distinguish triggers.

The Sensory Amplifier: How Autism Affects POTS

When POTS and Autism overlap, symptoms often intensify. Dizziness or a rapid heartbeat is uncomfortable alone. With sensory sensitivities, these sensations can become overwhelming quickly. Heart rate issues may feel much more distressing.

Bright lights, crowded rooms, or sudden noises can worsen POTS symptoms for people on the spectrum. Recovery often takes longer. Flares may trigger shutdowns or anxiety. Research shows a strong link between autonomic nervous system dysfunction and sensory processing in the brain (Allman et al., 2011).

Practical adjustments help. Weighted items, dim lighting, or noise-cancelling headphones can create calmer environments. Logging these strategies in an app like the Human Health app, alongside physical symptoms shows which tactics work best. This information helps you and your healthcare provider make informed decisions.

Support Strategies for POTS and Autism

There’s no single solution that fits everyone. Strategies can improve daily life for many people.

Support for Autism

Support often focuses on reducing overwhelm and increasing predictability. Tools include:

• Therapies: Speech, occupational, or behavioral therapy strengthens communication and coping skills.
• Sensory Supports: Dimmed lights, quiet zones, weighted items, or noise-cancelling headphones reduce sensory strain.
• Structured Routines: Consistent schedules ease transitions and lower anxiety.

Personalized approaches work best. An app can log triggers, track coping strategies, and summarize insights for your care team.

Lifestyle Adjustments to Counter POTS and Autism

Clinicians often recommend a combination of lifestyle adjustments, conditioning, and sometimes medication:

• Hydration and Salt Intake: 2–3 liters of water per day and extra salt can help expand blood volume.
• Compression Garments: Stockings or abdominal binders reduce blood pooling and improve circulation.
• Exercise: Structured programs improve heart rate control and quality of life (2025 systematic review).
• Medication Options: Some drugs may support circulation or limit heart rate spikes, but responses vary.

For Autism

• Prioritize Rest and Pacing: Both conditions bring fatigue. Plan breaks and pace yourself. The Human Health app helps schedule rest periods and track energy.
• Create Sensory-Friendly Spaces: Dim lighting, quiet areas, or weighted blankets reduce sensory strain and support recovery from dizziness or rapid heart rate. Logging adjustments shows what environments help most.

Because POTS affects people differently, tracking what works is essential. Logging hydration, exercise, and symptoms can provide clear insights.

How Tracking Tools Can Help

Managing POTS and Autism can feel like solving two puzzles simultaneously. One affects the body, the other affects mind and senses.

An app like the Human Health app captures symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, or sensory overload. Over time, patterns emerge. You may see which habits reduce palpitations or which environments worsen them.

Instead of relying on memory, you bring clear evidence to appointments. You can show your doctor what happens, when it happens, and in what context. This clarity empowers you to advocate for the care you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does the 'Fight or Flight' response differ in people on the spectrum with POTS?

People on the spectrum may have a more active stress response system. POTS can amplify physical symptoms, leading to stronger reactions than in neurotypical people.

2. Can gut issues in Autism worsen POTS?

Yes. Digestive problems common in both conditions can reduce blood volume or cause electrolyte imbalances. This may intensify POTS symptoms.

3. Should I manage sensory input or physical POTS symptoms first?

Balancing both is best. Start with the most overwhelming sensory inputs. Calming the body helps before addressing POTS needs like hydration and salt intake.

4. Why are fainting episodes sometimes misdiagnosed as panic attacks?

POTS fainting is a physical response to gravity, not fear. Rapid heart rate and physical sensations often lead to misdiagnosis. Proper evaluation is key.

5. Are there brain differences linking hypermobility, Autism, and POTS?

Some structural brain differences exist in people with hypermobility and psychiatric disorders (Eccles et al., 2012). Since hypermobility and dysautonomia are common in Autism, shared neuro-anatomical links may play a role.

Understanding the Connection: Moving Forward with Support

Living with both Autism and POTS can feel like managing two very different challenges at once. Each condition affects the body and mind in unique ways. Tracking symptoms, pacing daily activities, and creating sensory-friendly spaces can make a real difference. Tools like the Human Health app help log autism dizziness, energy changes, and heart rate issues often experienced by children on the spectrum. This gives families and doctors clearer insights for better care.

Personalized strategies, hydration, structured routines, sensory supports, or gentle exercise, help individuals feel more confident managing daily life. Supportive Care ABA offers tailored guidance, working closely with caregivers, clinicians, and individuals to reduce overwhelm and improve well-being. With experience in Oklahoma, Supportive Care ABA helps families implement small, consistent steps, guided by careful tracking and expert advice, so individuals can thrive while managing POTS symptoms safely. If you or a loved one faces this overlap, reach out to us for support.

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