The association between parents' ratings of ASD symptoms and anxiety in a sample of high-functioning boys and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

摘要

Background: The relationship between symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is complex and sometimes confounding. However, exploration of that relationship has significant potential to assist in treatment or avoidance of GAD by identifying ASD-related behaviours as 'targets' for intervention with anxious children as well as for preventative treatments that could be implemented into daily routines before children become anxious. To further understanding of this relationship, the association between parent-ratings of their sons' ASD symptoms and GAD symptoms was investigated in two samples of boys with high-functioning ASD.