| Description |
This study examined types of psychological and functioning problems, and awareness of these problems, in adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) who had been treated for comorbid psychiatric disorders. Participants were male adolescents, ages 11-18, who were "high functioning" (IQ > 85). The ASD group consisted of 26 adolescents, diagnosed with ASD and a comorbid psychiatric disorder, and their parents. The control group included 26 adolescents, without ASD or any psychiatric disorders, and their parents. Adolescents and parents completed the psychiatric disorders, and their parents. Adolescents and parents completed the Achenbach System of Empirically-Based Assessment (ASEBA) and the Rating of Functioning. Parents also completed a developmental history interview. Comparisons were made between parents and adolescents and between ASD and control groups. Anxiety (58%), depression (54%), and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (46%) were reported as common comorbid diagnoses among ASD participants. In the ASD group, parent-report of psychological problems was significantly higher than the self-report on the ASEBA (Total scale t(25) = 3.34, p = 0.003, d = 0.66). On the other hand, there was no significant difference between parentand adolescent-report of symptoms in the control group (Total scale t(25) = -1.36, p = 0.187, d = -0.27). Even though adolescents with ASD had received treatment for psychiatric disorders, both adolescent and parent scales on the ASEBA were elevated. |
