Misunderstood and Overlooked: hEDS, FND & Autism | Office Hours (Ep 150)

You asked. I answered. In this solo Q&A, I tackle some of the biggest and most misunderstood questions from our Bendy Bodies community. From toddlers flagged for autism to adults fighting for an EDS diagnosis, from altitude flares to functional neurologic disorder, this episode pulls no punches. I talk low-dose naltrexone (LDN), altitude hacks, medication struggles, and the quiet panic of a diagnosis that suddenly shifts under you. Plus, we look ahead to the 2026 hEDS (hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) classification changes and the stigma that still haunts hypermobile bodies. Whether you're a patient, a provider, or somewhere in between—you’ll hear something in this episode that makes you feel seen. Takeaways: How the diagnosis of functional neurologic disorder (FND) is often misused—and what that means for bendy patients. What one family doctor learned when her toddler was flagged for autism... and EDS. The truth about low-dose naltrexone—and why it’s not a quick fix. Why a change in your diagnosis doesn’t change your reality. A life-saving strategy for traveling to high altitudes with EDS or POTS. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 02:14 Understanding Functional Neurologic Disorders (FND) 06:51 Misdiagnosis of EDS as FND 13:11 Diagnosing EDS in Young Children 26:22 Supporting Children with EDS at Home 30:16 Low-Dose Naltrexone: Uses and Considerations 38:31 Managing High Altitude Sickness with EDS Connect with YOUR Hypermobility Specialist, Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD at ⁠https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/⁠. Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/ YouTube:    / @bendybodiespodcast   Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠   Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠  / bendybodiespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠   X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠  / bluesteinlinda⁠⁠⁠⁠   LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠   Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobi... Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hyp... Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠⁠⁠http://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠http://www.human-content.com⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠[email protected]⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links.