Title:
Unmasking Schizoaffective Disorder in a 16-Year-Old Patient With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Authors:
Adi Raturi, Ece Akin, USA

Abstract:

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social communication difficulties and rigidity, and schizoaffective disorder, which involves the presence of psychosis/schizophrenia and mood disorder, are psychiatric conditions that can cause significant distress to children and adolescents, especially when they present together and overlap with each other, potentially leading to diagnostic overshadowing.

Case Presentation:  We investigate the case of a 16-year-old male with established ASD presenting with new-onset psychotic and mood symptoms and explore the barriers to diagnosing and treating his schizoaffective disorder.

Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of clearly determining baseline functioning and evaluating new psychiatric symptoms and behavioral changes independently in patients with ASD to prevent delayed recognition and treatment of comorbid schizoaffective disorder.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.51505/ijmshr.2026.10604