Constipation in autistic people and people with learning disabilities

INTRODUCTION
This article gives an overview of constipation
and related concerns in people with
learning disabilities (LDs) and/or autistic
people. It provides recommendations to
primary care to help address this issue. It
furthers the evidence and importance of
recognising and managing constipation as
outlined in national guidance.1
Public Health England and the Office
for National Statistics estimate that
approximately 2.16% of adults and 2.50%
of children in the UK have an LD. Autistic
spectrum condition (ASC) is reported in
approximately 2% of adults and children. It
is considered that 30%–70% of people who
have an ASC will also have an LD.2