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. 2017 Nov 14:8:2004.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02004. eCollection 2017.

Severity of Autism Symptoms and Degree of Attentional Difficulties Predicts Emotional and Behavioral Problems in Children with High-Functioning Autism; a Two-Year Follow-up Study

Per N Andersen  1 , Kjell T Hovik  2 , Erik W Skogli  3 , Merete G Øie  4   5
Affiliations

Severity of Autism Symptoms and Degree of Attentional Difficulties Predicts Emotional and Behavioral Problems in Children with High-Functioning Autism; a Two-Year Follow-up Study

Per N Andersen et al. Front Psychol. .

Abstract

Children with autism often struggle with emotional and behavioral problems (EBP). This study investigated whether level of autism symptoms, attention problems or verbal IQ at baseline can predict EBP 2 years later in children with High-Functioning Autism (HFA). Thirty-four participants with HFA and 45 typically developing children (TD) (ages 9-16) were assessed with parent ratings of EBP, autism symptoms, attention problems, and a test of verbal IQ. The amount of autism symptoms and degree of attention problems at baseline significantly predicted EBP at follow-up, whereas verbal IQ did not. The findings from this study emphasize the importance of assessing and understanding the consequences of autism symptoms and attention problems when treating EBP in children with HFA. Furthermore, interventions aimed at improving ASD symptoms may positively affect the prevalence of EBP in children with HFA.

Keywords: Asperger's syndrome; High-Functioning Autism; attention problems; autism spectrum disorder; behavioral problems; child behavior checklist; emotional problems; verbal IQ.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Results on Child Behaviour Checklist total problems scale at T1 and T2 in T-scores for children and with High-Functioning Autism (HFA) and typically developing children (TD). Vertical bar denotes 95% confidence intervals.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Results on Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) at T1 and T2 in raw scores for children with High-Functioning Autism (HFA) and typically developing children (TD). Vertical bar denotes 95% confidence intervals.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Results on ADHD Rating Scale IV (ARS-IV) at T1 and T2 in raw scores for children with High-Functioning Autism (HFA) and typically developing children (TD). Vertical bar denotes 95% confidence intervals.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Scatterplot of standardized predicted values against standardized residuals for the regression model.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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