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Social difficulties in youth with autism with and without anxiety and ADHD symptoms. Autism Res 2018 Dec;11(12):1679-1689

Date

11/27/2018

Pubmed ID

30475451

Pubmed Central ID

PMC6311999

DOI

10.1002/aur.2039

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85057438139 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   23 Citations

Abstract

Social difficulties inherent to autism spectrum disorder are often linked with co-occurring symptoms of anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The present study sought to examine the relation between such co-occurring symptoms and social challenges. Parents of adolescents with autism (N = 113) reported upon social challenges via the social responsiveness scale (SRS) and anxiety and ADHD symptomatology via the Child Behavior Checklist. Results revealed differences in SRS scores across co-occurring symptom subgroups (Anxiety, ADHD, Both, Neither)-namely, adolescents with autism and anxiety as well as those with autism, anxiety, and ADHD showed greater scores on the SRS than the other groups. Implications for research and clinical practice are discussed and recommendations are offered. Autism Research 2018, 11: 1679-1689. © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: Anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms are related to greater social challenges for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. The present study found that autism with anxiety and autism with anxiety and ADHD, was related to greater social difficulties than autism alone. Findings provide further support for the intertwined nature of anxiety and ADHD symptoms in autism. What this may mean for research and clinical practice is considered and recommendations are suggested.

Author List

McVey AJ, Schiltz HK, Haendel AD, Dolan BK, Willar KS, Pleiss SS, Karst JS, Carlson M, Krueger W, Murphy CC, Casnar CL, Yund B, Van Hecke AV

Authors

Jeffrey S. Karst PhD Associate Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Amy Van Hecke PhD Professor in the Psychology department at Marquette University




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adolescent
Anxiety Disorders
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Child
Female
Humans
Male
Parents
Social Behavior