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Exploring the manifestations of anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorders

  • Victoria Hallett
  • , Luc Lecavalier
  • , Denis G. Sukhodolsky
  • , Noreen Cipriano
  • , Michael G. Aman
  • , James T. McCracken
  • , Christopher J. McDougle
  • , Elaine Tierney
  • , Bryan H. King
  • , Eric Hollander
  • , Linmarie Sikich
  • , Joel Bregman
  • , Evdokia Anagnostou
  • , Craig Donnelly
  • , Lily Katsovich
  • , Kimberly Dukes
  • , Benedetto Vitiello
  • , Kenneth Gadow
  • , Lawrence Scahill
  • Yale University
  • King's College London
  • Ohio State University
  • University of California at Los Angeles
  • Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Kennedy Krieger Institute
  • University of Washington
  • Albert Einstein College of Medicine
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Center for Autism
  • University of Toronto
  • Dartmouth College
  • DM-STAT Inc
  • Boston University
  • National Institutes of Health
  • Emory University

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

148 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study explores the manifestation and measurement of anxiety symptoms in 415 children with ASDs on a 20-item, parent-rated, DSM-IV referenced anxiety scale. In both high and low-functioning children (IQ above vs. below 70), commonly endorsed items assessed restlessness, tension and sleep difficulties. Items requiring verbal expression of worry by the child were rarely endorsed. Higher anxiety was associated with functional language, IQ above 70 and higher scores on several other behavioral measures. Four underlying factors emerged: Generalized Anxiety, Separation Anxiety, Social Anxiety and Over-arousal. Our findings extend our understanding of anxiety across IQ in ASD and provide guidance for improving anxiety outcome measurement.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2341-2352
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Volume43
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2013

Keywords

  • Anxiety
  • Autism spectrum disorders
  • Clinical Trials
  • Measurement

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