Emotional and behavioural problems in young children with autism spectrum disorder

TY - JOUR

T1 - Emotional and behavioural problems in young children with autism spectrum disorder

AU - Chandler, Susie

AU - Howlin, Patricia

AU - Simonoff, Emily

AU - O'Sullivan, Tony

AU - Tseng, Evelin

AU - Kennedy, Juliet

AU - Charman, Tony

AU - Baird, Gillian

PY - 2016/2/1

Y1 - 2016/2/1

N2 - Aim: To assess the frequency, pervasiveness, associated features, and persistence of emotional and behavioural problems in a community sample of young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Method: Parents (n=277) and teachers (n=228) of 4- to 8-year-olds completed the Developmental Behaviour Checklist (DBC). Intellectual ability and autism symptomatology were also assessed. A subsample repeated the DBC. Results: Three-quarters of the cohort scored above the clinical cut-off on the Developmental Behaviour Checklist Primary Carer Version (DBC-P) questionnaire; almost two-thirds of these scored above cut-off on the Developmental Behaviour Checklist Teacher Version (DBC-T) questionnaire. In 81%, problems persisted above threshold 14 months later. Higher DBC-P scores were associated with greater autism symptomatology, higher deprivation index, parental unemployment, and more children in the home but not with parental education or ethnicity, or child's age or sex. Children with IQ>70 scored higher for disruptive behaviour, depression, and anxiety symptoms; those with IQ<70 scored higher for self-absorption and hyperactivity. Interpretation: The DBC identifies a range of additional behaviour problems that are common in ASD and which could be the focus for specific intervention. The results highlight the potential benefit of systematic screening for co-existing problems.

AB - Aim: To assess the frequency, pervasiveness, associated features, and persistence of emotional and behavioural problems in a community sample of young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Method: Parents (n=277) and teachers (n=228) of 4- to 8-year-olds completed the Developmental Behaviour Checklist (DBC). Intellectual ability and autism symptomatology were also assessed. A subsample repeated the DBC. Results: Three-quarters of the cohort scored above the clinical cut-off on the Developmental Behaviour Checklist Primary Carer Version (DBC-P) questionnaire; almost two-thirds of these scored above cut-off on the Developmental Behaviour Checklist Teacher Version (DBC-T) questionnaire. In 81%, problems persisted above threshold 14 months later. Higher DBC-P scores were associated with greater autism symptomatology, higher deprivation index, parental unemployment, and more children in the home but not with parental education or ethnicity, or child's age or sex. Children with IQ>70 scored higher for disruptive behaviour, depression, and anxiety symptoms; those with IQ<70 scored higher for self-absorption and hyperactivity. Interpretation: The DBC identifies a range of additional behaviour problems that are common in ASD and which could be the focus for specific intervention. The results highlight the potential benefit of systematic screening for co-existing problems.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84955257208&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1111/dmcn.12830

DO - 10.1111/dmcn.12830

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:84955257208

SN - 0012-1622

VL - 58

SP - 202

EP - 208

JO - Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology

JF - Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology

IS - 2

ER -