The presence of migraines and its association with sensory hyperreactivity and anxiety symptomatology in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Leung et al. (2014) asked parents of children with autism about headaches. They wanted to know if kids who get migraines also show more sensory and anxiety problems.

The team used a survey. Parents filled out forms about sensory reactions, worry, and migraine history.

Children with ASD who have migraines scored higher on parent reports of sensory hyperreactivity and anxiety. The differences were medium in size, not tiny, not huge.

The link held even after the researchers looked at other factors. Migraine status mattered.

Ozsivadjian et al. (2012) talked to parents in focus groups and heard the same thing: anxiety can overshadow autism symptoms. C et al. add a possible trigger—migraines.

Rojahn et al. (2012) also used surveys and found sensory avoidance explains part of social anxiety in kids with selective mutism plus ASD. C et al. show a similar sensory-anxiety link, but tied to migraines instead of mutism.

Wan et al. (2019) went further, scanning brains of kids with ASD plus anxiety. They found unique wiring patterns. C et al. give the behavioral picture; Bin et al. show the neural one.

Glod et al. (2017) found sensory quirks run in families. C et al. narrow the focus: when the child has migraines, sensory issues spike.

Next time a child with ASD covers ears or reports stomach aches, ask about headaches. A quick migraine screen takes two minutes. If migraines show up, you now have a reason to add sensory breaks and anxiety tools to the behavior plan. Share the finding with parents so they can track headache days and triggers at home.