Anxiety-related symptomatology in young children on the autism spectrum

Keen, D., Adams, D., Simpson, K., Houting, J. d., & Roberts, J. (2017). Anxiety-related symptomatology in young children on the autism spectrum. Autism, 23(2), 350-358. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361317734692

Publication date: 5 Dec 2017 Added to AutiHub: 5 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English

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5
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 5 (20.0%)

Abstract

Anxiety symptomatology is frequently reported in autistic children, and the prevalence of anxiety disorder is estimated at around 40%. However, most studies have focused upon children of age 8 years or above, so little is known about early signs of anxiety in younger children with autism. This study sought to describe anxiety-related symptomatology in 95 5- to 6-year-old autistic children using the Anxiety Scale for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Wide variability was found in levels of symptomatology with the most frequently reported items within the 'uncertainty' subscale and the least frequently reported items in the 'anxious arousal' subscale. Comparisons of those with scores less than or greater than 70 on adaptive behaviour suggests some influence of ability on presentation of anxiety-related symptomatology.

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Cited references
38
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
0 / 38 (0.0%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
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Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 0 / 18 (0.0%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 0 / 126 (0.0%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
18 / 140 (12.9%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 13 / 126 (10.3%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
18 / 18 (100.0%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 18 / 140 (12.9%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 13 / 13 (100.0%).
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