Early Risk Factors of Anxiety in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Objective: Anxiety is one of the most prevalent comorbid disorders in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, there is inconsistency in research investigating the predictors of anxiety in children with ASD. Thus, this study aimed to explore age, gender, ASD symptom severity, and functional language use as potential risk factors for developing anxiety in this sample.Method: This study involved ۱۵۰ children with ASD and their caregivers. The Gilliam Autism Rating Scale–Third Edition (GARS-۳) and the Preschool Anxiety Scale (PAS) were used to gather data. The data were analysed using Independent sample t-tests, MANOVA, Pearson’s r correlations, the point biserial correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis with the stepwise procedure.Results: The findings indicated that anxiety was positively correlated with age and functional language use and negatively with ASD symptom severity. There wasn’t a significant relationship between anxiety and gender.Discussions: The findings suggest age and ASD symptom severity were significant predictors of anxiety in this sample. In other words, older children and cases with lower symptom severity are more likely to experience anxiety. It is also implied to examine the role of cognitive deficits in the development of anxiety in autism.

Keywords:

Autism , Neurodevelopmental disorder , anxiety