Lily Smythe
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lilysmythe.bsky.social
Lily Smythe
@lilysmythe.bsky.social
PhD student interested in the co-occurrence of Functional Neurological Disorder and Autism. Part of NREG and Re:Spect Lab and based at the IoPPN, King's College London
Very interesting evening at the 62nd Maudsley debate, discussing whether the global rise in neurodivergence is due to awareness. I think everyone came out of that debate understanding it is a much more complex matter than simply increasing awareness
October 22, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Reposted by Lily Smythe
📣The ARCH seminar is back!
Join us on October 22nd to hear from Nell Fahey (with introduction from Dr Gavin Stewart) about their work on the social experiences of middle-aged and older autistic adults.
More info on our mailout - sign up and get tickets @ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/arch-semin...
October 1, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Reposted by Lily Smythe
Superb work from @lilysmythe.bsky.social - 1st of what I’m sure will be lots of great papers from her @ukri.org MRC funded PhD investigating emerging complex and potentially important overlap & relationship between FND & ASD👏👏👊🏻👊🏻

Big e-records (TrinetX) study showing ⬆️ rates of comorbidity
Autism and FND are both complex and often misunderstood.

This study is a step toward understanding that overlap - and hopefully toward better diagnosis and support.

Thanks to my co-authors @liviaasan.bsky.social,
@timnicholson.bsky.social, Francesca Happé, and Mark Edwards
Co-occurring functional neurological disorder and autism: an exploratory study of comorbidities in a retrospective cohort study using TriNetX - Journal of Neurology
Background Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) encompasses motor, cognitive, and sensory symptoms resulting from disruptions in brain-body communication. Emerging research suggests a higher-than-expected occurrence of autism in FND, potentially due to shared cognitive mechanisms and overlapping comorbidities. However, large-scale characterisation of this dual-diagnosis is lacking. Methods Using de-identified health records from the TriNetX research network, we identified children and adults with both FND and autism (‘FND + Autism’), comparing them to individuals with FND only (‘FND-only’) and autism only (‘Autism-only’). We examined psychiatric comorbidities (e.g. mood, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, personality disorders, obsessive–compulsive disorder), intellectual disability and ADHD. Results Of 220,312 individuals with an FND diagnosis, and 674,971 individuals with an autism diagnosis, 5,152 (2.3% of FND, 0.76% of autism) had both FND and autism. The rates of autism were therefore 6 times higher in FND compared to the base rates of the TriNetX population. Most were diagnosed with autism before FND, with over one-third diagnosed in childhood. Functional seizures were the most common FND subtype, and were more frequent in FND + Autism than FND-only (adults: 52% vs. 44%; children: 47% vs. 42%). Comorbidity across all psychiatric conditions was significantly higher in FND + Autism compared to both comparison groups. ADHD was particularly elevated in FND + Autism (adults: 50% vs. 13% FND-only, 36% Autism-only; children: 64% vs. 21% FND-only, 41% Autism-only). Conclusions This study presents the largest dataset to date characterising individuals with co-occurring FND and autism. Findings are consistent with previous findings of higher rates of autism in people with FND and reveal a potentially distinct clinical profile, marked by elevated rates of ADHD and psychiatric comorbidities, and increased occurrence of functional seizures compared to FND- or Autism-only groups. Recognising this overlap may improve diagnosis, clinical care, and understanding of mechanisms underlying the co-occurrence of FND and autism.
link.springer.com
September 28, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Excited to share my first first-author paper in Journal of Neurology! 🧠

Using the TriNetX dataset (176M patients), we explored co-occurring FND and Autism - work first presented at the RCPsych Neuropsychiatry Conf

Read it here: link.springer.com/article/10.1...

#Autism #FND #Neuropsychiatry
Co-occurring functional neurological disorder and autism: an exploratory study of comorbidities in a retrospective cohort study using TriNetX - Journal of Neurology
Background Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) encompasses motor, cognitive, and sensory symptoms resulting from disruptions in brain-body communication. Emerging research suggests a higher-than-expected occurrence of autism in FND, potentially due to shared cognitive mechanisms and overlapping comorbidities. However, large-scale characterisation of this dual-diagnosis is lacking. Methods Using de-identified health records from the TriNetX research network, we identified children and adults with both FND and autism (‘FND + Autism’), comparing them to individuals with FND only (‘FND-only’) and autism only (‘Autism-only’). We examined psychiatric comorbidities (e.g. mood, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, personality disorders, obsessive–compulsive disorder), intellectual disability and ADHD. Results Of 220,312 individuals with an FND diagnosis, and 674,971 individuals with an autism diagnosis, 5,152 (2.3% of FND, 0.76% of autism) had both FND and autism. The rates of autism were therefore 6 times higher in FND compared to the base rates of the TriNetX population. Most were diagnosed with autism before FND, with over one-third diagnosed in childhood. Functional seizures were the most common FND subtype, and were more frequent in FND + Autism than FND-only (adults: 52% vs. 44%; children: 47% vs. 42%). Comorbidity across all psychiatric conditions was significantly higher in FND + Autism compared to both comparison groups. ADHD was particularly elevated in FND + Autism (adults: 50% vs. 13% FND-only, 36% Autism-only; children: 64% vs. 21% FND-only, 41% Autism-only). Conclusions This study presents the largest dataset to date characterising individuals with co-occurring FND and autism. Findings are consistent with previous findings of higher rates of autism in people with FND and reveal a potentially distinct clinical profile, marked by elevated rates of ADHD and psychiatric comorbidities, and increased occurrence of functional seizures compared to FND- or Autism-only groups. Recognising this overlap may improve diagnosis, clinical care, and understanding of mechanisms underlying the co-occurrence of FND and autism.
link.springer.com
September 26, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Great day at the Faculty of Neuropsychiatry conference at the Royal College of Psychiatrists. I got to present data from my new paper in press in the Journal of Neurology, and listened to a fantastic discussion around assisted dying!
September 12, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Reposted by Lily Smythe
I'm very pleased that our new narrative review on autism in midlife and old age has now been published in the Annual Review of Developmental Psychology (by me and @proffrancescahappe.bsky.social).

We cover a lot of topics... more below!

Open access: doi.org/10.1146/annu...

#AutRes
Aging Across the Autism Spectrum | Annual Reviews
Aging in autistic populations is a historically neglected but now rapidly advancing area of research. This narrative review provides a broad overview of the current state of the field of aging on the ...
www.annualreviews.org
September 1, 2025 at 7:16 AM
🧠 New study at KCL looking for volunteers with both #FND and #Autism to take part in an interview sharing your experiences!

- 15 minute survey followed by a 1 hour interview

Interested?
✉️ Please message me: lily.smythe@kcl.ac.uk

Thanks for sharing!
August 11, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Reposted by Lily Smythe
1/2 Most of the time, the use of over the top words like "terrifying" just makes the author look like a crank, but in this case, it could very well be justified. Memory of what was written was virtually nonexistent and brain connectivity collapsed by 47%. Read the thread.

x.com/itsalexvacca...
June 18, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Reposted by Lily Smythe
🧠 Study exploring new FND treatment! We’re exploring patient views on Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) for #FND rehab.

✅ 18+

✅ Diagnosed w/ motor FND (e.g. weakness, tremor)

📝 10-min survey and educational video: qualtrics.kcl.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_...

📎 Poster below #FNDresearch #BCI
June 12, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Another great discussion meeting ‘From being to identity: analysis and synthesis of the self’ at the Royal Society yesterday!
Brilliant to hear about work being done around conceptualisation of the self, including a fantastic panel discussion on lived experience of diversity in experience of self.
May 21, 2025 at 3:18 PM
excited for this next week!
🚨May Talk Announcement!🚨
Join us on May 28th at 2PM to hear Kayleigh Doyle (@kayleighdoyle.bsky.social) discuss her PhD work looking at using the creative arts to teach autistic students.
Tickets are available at eventbrite.co.uk/e/arch-semin...
We hope to see you there!
May 20, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Still processing what a fantastic experience this was, and how lucky I feel to have attended it! One week of learning, inspiration, and fantastic conversations with wonderful people. Thank you @sarahgarf.bsky.social and @skhalsa.bsky.social for creating such a wonderful and productive space!
May 20, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Reposted by Lily Smythe
What an amazing week on San Servolo on interoception and brain disorders; I learned so much, thanks all for the great discussions and thanks for the great organization and all the the fun! @skhalsa.bsky.social @sarahgarf.bsky.social
May 17, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Reposted by Lily Smythe
Solidarity with trans women after today’s Supreme Court ruling.

The rollback of LGBT rights — especially trans rights — is global, bankrolled by billionaires and the far-right.

Trans rights are human rights. We must defend the Equality Act and its protections for trans people.
April 16, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Reposted by Lily Smythe
📢April Talk Announcement 📢

Join us on April 16th to see @lomasresearch.bsky.social discuss his PhD research exploring the usefulness of Theory of Mind in pedagogy.

Tickets can be found here: eventbrite.co.uk/e/arch-semin...

We hope to see you there!
March 26, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Reposted by Lily Smythe
Today is FND Awareness Day (UK)!

FND is a common, painful, and disabling disorder.

It remains under-studied and stigmatized, but we’re making progress.

Here’s my in-depth personal essay on how we got here.

medium.com/@fndportal/c...
Cadenza for Fractured Consciousness
A Personal History of the World’s Most Misunderstood Illness
medium.com
March 25, 2025 at 12:03 PM
completely unrelated to my phd but a few weeks ago i went to sarajevo and i’ve not stopped thinking about how great a trip it was!

sarajevo is an brilliant city with an extensive and harrowing history that it still carries with it but the people, the food, and the spirit of the city was incredible
March 24, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Reposted by Lily Smythe
“This is austerity dressed up as reform, where the government cuts the money disabled people need to live on in order to balance the books, while claiming it’s all being done to help them.”

My col. on Labour’s sweeping disability cuts and mark of shame. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
These cruel benefit cuts will rob security from so many – but Labour will lose something crucial too | Frances Ryan
The worst reforms since George Osborne will teach voters that politicians really are all the same. Is it worth it? asks Guardian columnist Frances Ryan
www.theguardian.com
March 19, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Reposted by Lily Smythe
🧠 Help Us Understand Pain Perception in FND! 🧠

Looking for volunteers with & without #FND for a study in London @kingsioppn.bsky.social. Single lab visit testing pain perception with electrical stimulation.

Interested? Please message me: Livia.Asan@kcl.ac.uk ✉️

Thanks for sharing!
March 7, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Another great talk lined up from ARCH (if we do say so ourselves!)
📣New talk announcement 📣
The next ARCH talk will be held at 2pm, March 26th, with Ashlea Cromby talking about her work on autistic communication via memes!
Tickets can be found @ t.co/K5ZlvIsDOq
February 27, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Reposted by Lily Smythe
📣February 19th! Come join us to hear about the PhD work by @ninadanon.bsky.social on musical neuroqueering.
The next ARCH talk will be held at 2pm, February 19th, and tickets can be found @ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/arch-semin...
January 27, 2025 at 12:21 PM
join us for this fab talk next week!
📣 Join us for the next Autism ResearCH (ARCH) talk, which will be held on the 22nd of January at 1pm!
@heasutherland
will talk about her ethnographic work on communication in high support needs autistic adults in support services.
Register for free @ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/arch-semin...
January 15, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Reposting this again- do come join us!
📣Join us for the first ARCH seminar of the academic year - the ReSpect Lab Showcase!
On December 5th, members of the ReSpect Lab will be showcasing their research from the last year.
Tickets are available @ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/arch-semin...
We hope to see you there!
December 3, 2024 at 4:01 PM
Reposted by Lily Smythe
Very happy to be a part of the Autism research community on here! 👋
🗯️ We are led by @proffrancescahappe.bsky.social & are REsearching autism across the SPECTrum and lifespan.
🗯️ Our PhD Students organise the online Autism ResearCH (ARCH) seminars for ECRs to present their work (stay tuned!)
November 20, 2024 at 5:12 PM