The Prevalence of Anxiety and Mood Problems Among Children with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome

by Joseph A. Kim, Peter Szatmari, Susan E. Bryson, David L. Streiner and Freda Wilson. Autism, (2000) 4, P.117-132.

The objective of this study was to report on the prevalence and correlates of anxiety and mood problems among 9- to 14- year old children with Asperger syndrome (AS) and high-functioning autism.

Compared with a sample of 1751 community children, AS and autistic children demonstrated a greater rate of anxiety and depression problems. These problems had a significant impact on their overall adaptation. There were, however, no differences in the number of anxiety and mood problems between the AS and autistic children within this high-functioning cohort. The number of psychiatric problems was not correlated with early autistic symptoms but was predicted to a small extent by early verbal/non-verbal IQ discrepancy scores.

The clinical implications of these results are clear: a full assessment of the high-functioning PDD adolescent should include a careful investigation of anxiety and mood problems. Behavioural interventions to reduce anxiety and improve mood may be indicated if these problems also affect over all adaptation over and above the PDD.