Autism + co-occurring mental disorders
When a person has a combination of two or more diagnoses or disabilities, they are considered to have co-occurring conditions. Autistic individuals often meet criteria for at least one additional psychiatric disorder. The National Institute of Health reports that ninety-one percent of children and thirty-one percent of adults were also diagnosed with one or more co-occurring diagnoses using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI).
Dr. Westover is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He specializes in adult psychiatry, adult autism, and developmental disabilities in adulthood.
Dr. Westover earned his medical degree at Baylor College of Medicine. He completed both his residency in psychiatry a master’s degree in clinical sciences at UT Southwestern.
Board certified in psychiatry, he joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2006.
Dr. Westover is Director of Adult Autism Services for the Department of Psychiatry and Medical Director of the UT Southwestern Behavioral Health Clinic at the Richardson/Plano Campus. He is also a member of the UT Southwestern Psychiatric Clinical Leadership Committee and the Psychiatric Outpatient Leadership Committee.His research interests include adult autism. He has also investigated the effects of amphetamine and methamphetamine use and abuse on heart health, as well as outcomes related to public mental health systems. He has delivered numerous lectures and presentations and authored many academic articles related to his areas of expertise. He serves on the editorial board of the journal Substance Use & Misuse.
