High rates of psychiatric co-morbidity in individuals with Asperger's disorder

Abstract

The present study aimed to provide clinical data regarding co-morbidity of psychiatric disorders in individuals diagnosed with Asperger's disorder (AD). This study included 37 individuals (32 male, five female, mean age: 10.9+/-4.5 years) diagnosed with AD. Psychiatric comorbidity was assessed using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Age Children - Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS - PL). Ninety-four percent of participants had at least one additional psychiatric disorder. The most common were anxiety disorders (54%), disruptive behavioural disorders (48%), and mood disorders (37%). The results of this study highlight the need for detailed assessment of additional psychiatric disorders in this population.