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. 2017;26(7):1753-1767.
doi: 10.1007/s10826-017-0687-7. Epub 2017 Mar 20.

Anxiety Levels in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-Analysis

Francisca J A van Steensel  1 , Emma J Heeman  2
Affiliations

Anxiety Levels in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-Analysis

Francisca J A van Steensel et al. J Child Fam Stud. 2017.

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to meta-analytically examine whether anxiety levels in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are elevated. A total of 83 articles were selected from a systematic literature search and were included in the meta-analyses. Results demonstrated that children with ASD had higher anxiety levels compared to typically developing children, and this difference increased with IQ. Youth with ASD also tended to have higher anxiety levels compared to clinically referred children, and this difference increased with age. Children with ASD had higher anxiety levels compared to youth with externalizing or developmental problems, but not when compared to youth with internalizing problems. The study findings highlight the importance of more research in order to fully understand the nature and development of anxiety in children with ASD. More specifically, the results suggest that especially high-functioning adolescents with ASD may be at risk for developing anxiety disorders. Therefore, it seems important to carefully follow and monitor children with ASD transcending to adolescence.

Keywords: Anxiety; Autism; Children; Meta-analysis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

This article does not contain any studies with human participants performed by any of the authors.

References

    1. Articles marked by an asterisk are included in the meta-analyses
    1. American Psychiatric Association . Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fifth edition. Arlington: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2013.
    1. *Bauminger N, Solomon M, Rogers SJ. Externalizing and internalizing behaviors in ASD. Autism Research. 2010;3:101–112. doi: 10.1002/aur.131. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. *Bellini S. Social skill deficits and anxiety in high-functioning adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities. 2004;19:78–86. doi: 10.1177/10883576040190020201. - DOI
    1. Bellini S. The development of social anxiety in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities. 2006;21:138–145. doi: 10.1177/10883576060210030201. - DOI

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