The relationship between autism and pain sensitivity is something that we have not covered in this show, mainly because it’s also a relatively new area in pain literature. How does pain management look like in cases where communication might be a challenge? Bethany Donaghy, MSc, BSc And Michelle Failla, PhD join Dr. Joe Tatta in this episode to explain. Dr. Failla is Research Assistant Professor in the College of Nursing at The Ohio State University whose research focuses on understanding the role of social communication in pain responses and management. Bethany is an autistic PhD student at Liverpool John Moores University, UK. Her current PhD project explores pain in autistic children and young people. Tune in and listen to the insights of two trailblazers in this emerging field.

Here are some links for two papers and a review on pain in autism: • Increased pain sensitivity and pain-related anxiety in individuals with autism - PubMed (nih.gov) • Initially intact neural responses to pain in autism are diminished during sustained pain - PubMed (nih.gov) • Acute pain experience in individuals with autism spectrum disorders: a review - PubMed (nih.gov)

Michelle Failla’s website: Michelle Failla | The Ohio State University College of Nursing (osu.edu) If you have a need in the future, Michelle’s other line of work is in pain in Alzheimer’s Disease, and she works with a number of people trying to understand pain perception and differences in dementia. If that’s ever of interest to you and your podcast, reach out and Michelle can connect you with some great people in that work.