Catatonia in Autism.

What families and care partners need to know.

Created and shared with permission by Autism Science Foundation.

Catatonia is a serious but treatable condition that affects movement, speech, behavior, and autonomic functioning. It can affect people with autism, and it is more common than most families and clinicians realize: up to 10 percent of people with autism may experience catatonia symptoms at some point in their lives. Because its features can look like baseline autism, it is often missed. The key question is whether symptoms are new or different from the person's usual behavior.

This two-page information sheet from the Autism Science Foundation is built for families to print and bring to appointments. It lists the features to watch for, explains what families and clinical teams each contribute to a diagnosis, and walks through treatment options, including the lorazepam challenge test and electroconvulsive therapy.

You know your loved one best. If something seems off, ask: could this be catatonia?

Page 1 of the Autism Science Foundation's Catatonia in Autism information sheet: what catatonia is, the features of hypokinetic and hyperkinetic catatonia to watch for, and the warning that malignant catatonia is a medical emergency. Page 2 of the Autism Science Foundation's Catatonia in Autism information sheet: diagnosis and treatment as a team effort, the family and clinical team roles, treatment options including the lorazepam challenge test and ECT, and resources for families.

In rare cases, catatonia becomes life-threatening. High fever, rapid heart rate, and trouble breathing alongside catatonia signs are a medical emergency. Seek emergency care.

See also: Clinician Training on Catatonia in Autism (Project ECHO, 2026)

See also: When behavior is the only language left: diagnostic overshadowing and the Catatonia Quick Screen