autism and ocd

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Is anyone aware of a connection between autism and obsessive compulsive disorder?

I am fairly naive about this stuff since it's pretty new to me (just discovered that I had many autistic traits within the last month!). My psychiatrist who has been treating me for a couple of years for Bipolar II, when confronted with my list of PDD or AS traits suggested that I was probably PDD as a child, but seemed less interested in making an adult diagnosis beyond her initial one. My social worker thinks that my main issue is probably OCD. I'm going to get a 2nd psych opinion next week, but I was wondering whether this is already a known connection or not.

As far as I know, while OCD can be a comorbid disorder with autism or AS, so can a lot of other disorders.

There is a connection in that people with some form of autism typically have a lot of anxiety and may deal with their anxiety using OCD behaviors. According to Tony Attwood, "Prolonged periods of severe anxiety can lead to a secondary psychiatric condition such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. For example, the person may develop a compulsion to wash their hands due to fear of contamination. These actions operate as a means of reducing their anxiety" (page 156 of Asperger's Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals).

I have been diagnosed with both AS and OCD. My neuropsychologist decided that my anxiety over transitioning from home life to college life triggered my OCD symptoms two years ago. Severe anxiety over transitions is a common trait in people with some form of autism.

I'm dxed with AS and OCD.

Yes; AS can be a likely cause of OCD. Do to all the symptoms and factors that play a role, someone with AS at least automatically has symptoms of OCD to start off with. For example: Repetitive actions, rituals, etc.

From what I know which may or may not be true...OCD cannot be combined with AS. I have a lot of OCD symptoms, but I don't have OCD. I am an Aspie. I hope that helps you out!

OCD-type symptoms are very common in autism. I would almost say they are part of autism, rather than a separate condition. If the symptoms are troubling, or prevent you from carrying out normal activities, that is when it becomes a 'disorder' in its own right.

But surely if you fit the diagnostic criteria for both you have both?

I have OCD (I fit the criteria) and Aspie traits, but I don't quite fit all of the necessary Asperger's criteria.