Authors: Aaron J Kaat Luc Lecavalier
Publish Date: 2015/06/03
Volume: 45, Issue: 10, Pages: 3219-3231
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder ASD and anxiety frequently cooccur Research on the phenomenology and treatment of anxiety in ASD is expanding but is hampered by the lack of instruments validated for this population This study evaluated the self and parentreported Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale in Children—2 among 46 youth with ASD Internal consistency and test–retest reliability were acceptable but interrater reliability was poor Parent–child agreement was better for youth with higher IQs less severe ASD symptoms or more social cognitive skills Convergent and divergent validity were acceptable Demographic characteristics were considered as predictors of anxiety they were unrelated to parentreport but younger age and more severe ASD were related to increased selfreported anxietyFunding for the study was provided by the Nisonger Center Research Fund and the Ohio Department of Mental Health Small Grant Program The authors also wish to Ms Rebecca Weishaar who assisted with the study and all of the families who participated in it
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