Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Psychopathology

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Comorbid Conditions Among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Part of the book series: Autism and Child Psychopathology Series ((ACPS))

Abstract

Anxiety and mood disorders represent the two most common and best studied co-occurring psychopathologies in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) aged 5–21 years. The chapter begins with a brief overview of DSM-defined anxiety and mood disorders as they typically manifest in the general pediatric population. This is followed by a concise literature review on anxiety and mood disorders in children with ASD which focuses on prevalence, correlates the risk factors, and clinical presentation. Discussion focuses on how the presence of ASD and related developmental conditions requires one to adopt a developmental psychopathology framework to better understand how these disorders may manifest in this population. The chapter concludes with considerations for assessment, treatment, and future research.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Albano, A. M., Chorpita, B. F., & Barlow, D. H. (2003). Childhood anxiety disorders. In E. J. Mash & R. A. Barkley (Eds.), Child psychopathology, 2nd ed (pp. 279–329). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. (2007a). Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with anxiety disorders. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 46(2), 267–283.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. (2007b). Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with depressive disorders. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 46(11), 1503–1526.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Academy of Pediatrics. (2002). The medical home. Pediatrics, 110, 184–186.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th edn.). Washington, D.C.: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blumberg, S. J., Bramlett, M. D., Kogan, M. D., Schieve, L. A., Jones, J. R., & Lu, M. D. (2013). Changes in prevalence of parent-reported autism spectrum disorder in school-aged U.S. children: 2007 to 2011–2012. National health statistics report, no 65. Hyattsville: National Center for Health Statistics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradley, E., & Bolton, P. (2006). Episodic psychiatric disorders in teenagers with learning disabilities with and without autism. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 189, 361–366. doi:10.1192/bip.bp.105.018127.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cicchetti, D., & Toth, S. L. (2009). The past achievements and future promises of developmental psychopathology: The coming of age of a discipline. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 50(1–2), 16–25.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, D., Baxter, M., Perry, D., & Prasher, V. (1999). The diagnosis of affective and psychotic disorders in adults with autism: Seven case reports. Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 3, 149–164. doi:10.1177/1362361399003002005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cooray, S., Gabriel, S., & Gaus, V. (2007). Anxiety disorders. In R. Fletcher, E. Loschen, C. Stavrakaki, & M. First (Eds.), Diagnostic manual- intellectual disability: A textbook of diagnosis of mental disorders in persons with intellectual disability (pp. 317–348). Kingston: National Association for the Dually Diagnosed.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deprey, L., & Ozonoff, S. (2009). Assessment of comorbid psychiatric conditions in autism spectrum disorders. In S. Goldstein, J. A. Naglieri, & S. Ozonoff (Eds.), Assessment of autism spectrum disorders (pp. 290–317). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eussen, M. L. J. M., van Gool, A. R., Verheij, F., de Nijs, P. F. A., Verhulst, F. C., & Greaves-Lord, K. (2012). The association of quality of social relations, symptom severity and intelligence with anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorders. Autism: the International Journal of Research and Practice, 17(6), 723–735. doi:10.1177/1362361312453882.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Evans, D. W., Canavera, K., Kleinpeter, F. L., Maccubbin, E., & Taga, K. (2005). The fears, phobias and anxieties of children with autism spectrum disorders and down syndrome: Comparisons with developmentally and chronologically age matched children. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 36, 3–26.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Foa, E. B., Costello, E. J., Franklin, M., Kagan, J., Kendall, P., Klein, R., & Spear, L. (2005). Defining anxiety disorders. In D. L. Evans, E. B. Foa, R. E. Gur, H. Hendin, C. P. O’Brien, M. E. P. Seligman, & B. T. Walsh (Eds.), Treating and preventing adolescent mental health disorders: What we know and what we don’t know. a research agenda for improving the mental health of our youth (pp. 162–182). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gadow, K. D., DeVincent, C., & Schneider, J. (2008). Predictors of psychiatric symptoms in children with an autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38, 1710–1720. doi:10.1007/s10803-008-0556-8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gadow, K. D., Guttmann-Steinmetz, S., Rieffe, C., & DeVincent, C. J. (2012). Depression symptoms in boys with autism spectrum disorder and comparison samples. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42, 1353–1363. doi:10.1007/s10803-011-1367x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ghaziuddin, M., & Greden, J. F. (1998). Depression in children with autism/pervasive developmental disorders: A case-control family history study. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 28, 111–115.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hallett, V., Lecavalier, L., Sukhodolsky, D. G., Cipriano, N., Aman, M. G., McCracken, J. T., & Scahill, L. (2013). Exploring the manifestations of anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43, 2341–2352. doi:10.1007/s10803-013-1775-1.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hammen, C., & Rudolph, K. D. (2003). Childhood mood disorders. In E. J. Mash, & R. A. Barkley (Eds.), Child psychopathology, 2nd Ed (pp. 233–278). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hess, J. A., Matson, J. L., & Dixon, D. R. (2010). Psychiatric symptom endorsement in children and adolescents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders: A comparison to typically developing children and adolescents. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disability, 22, 485–496. doi:10.1007/s10882-009-9185-1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hurley, A. D., Levitas, A., Lecavalier, L., & Pary, R. J. (2007). Assessment and diagnostic procedures. In R. Fletcher, E. Loschen, C. Stavrakaki, & M. First (Eds.), Diagnostic manual-intellectual disability: A textbook of diagnosis of mental disorders in persons with intellectual disability (pp. 11–31). Kingston: National Association for the Dually Diagnosed.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joshi, G., Biederman, J., Petty, C., Goldin, R., Furtak, S. L., & Wozniak, J. (2013). Examining the comorbidity of bipolar disorder and autism spectrum disorder: A large controlled analysis if phenotypic and familial correlates in a referred population of youth with bipolar I disorder with and without autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 74, 578–586. doi:10.4088/JCP.12 m07392.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, J. A., Szatmari, P., Bryson, S. E., Streiner, D. L., & Wilson, F. J. (2000). The prevalence of anxiety and mood problems among children with autism and Asperger syndrome. Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 4, 117–132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klein, D. N., Dougherty, L. R., & Olino, T. M. (2005). Toward guidelines for evidence-based assessment of depression in children and adolescents. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 34(3), 412–432.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lainhart, J. E. (1999). Psychiatric problems in individuals with autism, their parents and siblings. International Review of Psychiatry, 11, 278–298.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lainhart, J. E., & Folstein, S. (1994). Affective disorders in people with autism: A review of published cases. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 24, 587–601.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lidstone, J., Uljarevic, M., Sullivan, J., Rodgers, J., McConachie, H., Freeston, M., & Leekam, S. (2014). Relations among restricted and repetitive behaviors, anxiety, and sensory features in children with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 8, 82–92. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2013.10.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacNeil, B. M., Lopes, V. A., Minnes, P. M. (2009). Anxiety in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 3, 1–21. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2008.06.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Magnuson, K. M., & Constantino, J. N. (2011). Characterization of depression in children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 32, 332–340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Magyar, C. I., & Pandolfi, V. (2012). Considerations for establishing a multi-tiered problem-solving model for students with autism and emotional-behavioral disorders. Psychology in the Schools, Special Edition, 49, 975–987. doi:10.1002/pits.21645.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mannion, A., & Leader, G. (2013). Comorbidity in autism spectrum disorder: A literature review. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 7, 1595–1616. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2013.09.006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L., & Nebel-Schwalm, M. S. (2007). Comorbid psychopathology with autism spectrum disorder in children: An overview. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 28, 341–352.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mayes, S. D., Calhoun, S.L., Murray, M.J., & Zahid, J. (2011a). Variables associated with anxiety and depression in children with autism. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 23, 325–337. doi:10.1007/s10882-011-9231-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayes, S. D., Calhoun, S. L., Murray, M. J., Ahuja, M., & Smith, L. A. (2011b). Anxiety, depression, and irritability in children with autism relative to other neuropsychiatric disorders and typical development. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5, 474–485. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2010.06.012.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mazurek, M.O., & Kanne, S.M. (2010). Friendship and internalizing symptoms among children and adolescents with ASD, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 40, 1512-1520.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mazzone, L., Postorino, V., DePeppo, L., Fatta, L., Lucarelli, V., Reale, L., & Vicari, S. (2013). Mood symptoms in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 34, 3699–3708. doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2013.07.034.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McPheeters, M. L., Davis, A., Navarre, J. R., & Scott, T. A. (2011). Family report of ASD concomitant with depression or anxiety among US children. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 41, 646–653. doi:10.1007/s10803-010-1085-9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pandolfi, V., & Magyar, C.I. (2014). Assessment of co-occurring emotional and behavioral disorders in youth with ASD using the child behavior checklist 6–18. In V. B. Patel, V. R. Preedy, & C. R. Martin (Eds.), The comprehensive guide to autism. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reiss, S., Levitan, G. W., & Syzsko, J. (1982). Emotional disturbance and mental retardation: Diagnostic overshadowing. American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 86, 567–574.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Renno, P., & Wood, J. J. (2013). Discriminant and convergent validity of the anxiety construct in children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43, 2135–2146. doi:10.1007/s10803-013-1767-1.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Rodgers, J., Glod, M., Connolly, B., & McConachie, H. (2012). The relationship between anxiety and repetitive behaviours in autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42, 2404–2409. doi:10.1007/s10803-012-1531-y.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Selles, R. R., & Storch, E. A. (2013). Translation of anxiety treatment to youth with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 22, 405–413. doi:10.1007/s10826-012-9593-1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Siegel, M., & Beaulieu, A. (2011). Psychotropic medications in children with autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review and synthesis for evidence-based practice. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42, 1592–1605. doi:10.1007/s10803-011-1399-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Siegel, M., Milligan, B., Robbins, D., & Prentice, G. (2012). Electroconvulsive therapy in an adolescent with autism and bipolar I disorder. Journal of Electroconvulsive Therapy, 28, 252–255. doi:10.1097/YCT.0b013e31825cec86.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Simonoff, E., Pickles, A., Charman, T., Chandler, S., Loucas, T., & Baird, G. (2008). Psychiatric disorders in children with autism spectrum disorders: Prevalence, comorbidity, and associated factors in a population-derived sample. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 47, 921–929. doi:10.1097/CHI.0b013e3181799644f.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spiker, M. A., Lin, C. E., van Dyke, M., Wood, J. J. (2012). Restricted interests and anxiety in children with autism. Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 16(3), 306–320. doi:10.1177/1362361311401763.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stavrakaki, C., & Lunsky, Y. (2007). Depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorders in people with intellectual disabilities. In N. Bouras, & G. Holt (Eds.), Psychiatric and behavioural disorders in intellectual and developmental disabilities (2nd edn., pp. 113–130). New York: Cambridge.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, M. E., Barnard, L., Pearson, J., Hasan, R., & O’Brien, G. (2006). Presentation of depression in autism and Asperger syndrome: A review. Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 10, 103–116. doi:10.1177/1362361306062013.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strang, J. F., Kenworthy, L., Daniolos, P., Case, L., Wills, M. C., Martin, A., et al. (2012). Depression and anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders without intellectual disability. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 6, 406–412. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2011.06.015.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Stratis, W. A., & Lecavalier, L. (2013). Restricted and repetitive behaviors and psychiatric symptoms in youth with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 7, 757–766. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2013.017.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sukhodolsky, D. G., Bloch, M. H., Panza, K. E., & Reichow, B. (2013). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety in children with high-functioning autism: A meta-analysis. Pediatrics, 132(5), 1341–1350.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tantam, D. (2003). The challenge of adolescents and adults with Asperger syndrome. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 12, 143–163.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tonge, B. (2007). The psychopathology of children with intellectual disabilities. In N. Bouras & G. Holt (Eds.), Psychiatric and behavioural disorders in intellectual and developmental disabilities, 2nd Ed (pp. 93–112). New York: Cambridge.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Ung, D., Wood, J. J., Ehrenreich-May, J., Arnold, E. B., Fujii, C., Renno, P., & Storch, E. A. (2013). Neuropsychiatry, 3(2), 147–157.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van der Gaag, R. J., Buitelaar, J., van den Ban, E., Bezemer, M., Njio, L., & van Engeland, H. (1995). A controlled multivariate chart review of multiple complex developmental disorder. Journal of American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 34, 1096–1106.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vasa, R. A., Kalb, L., Mazurek, M., Kanne, S., Freedman, B., Keefer, A., & Murray, D. (2013). Age-related differences in the prevalence and correlates of anxiety in youth with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 7, 1358–1369. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2013.07.005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Steensel, F. J. A., Bogels, S. M., & Perrin, S. (2011). Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders: A meta-analysis. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 14, 302–317. doi:10.1007/s10567-011-0097-0.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vickerstaff, S., Heriot, S., Wong, M., Lopes, A., & Dossetor, D. (2007). Intellectual ability, self-perceived social competence and depressive symptomatology in children with high-functioning autistic spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37, 1647–1644. doi:10.1007/s10803-006-0292-x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Volkmar, F. R., & Klin, A. (2005). Issues in the classification of autism and related conditions. In F. R. Volkmar, A. Klin, R. Paul, & D. J. Cohen (Eds.), Handbook of autism and pervasive developmental disorders, 3rd Ed (pp. 5–41). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weissman, A. S., & Bates, M. E. (2010). Increased clinical and neurocognitive impairment in children with autism spectrum disorders and comorbid bipolar disorder. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 4, 670–680. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2010.01.005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White, S.W., Oswald, D., Ollendick, T., & Scahill, L. (2009). Anxiety in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Clinical Psychology Review, 29, 216–229. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2009.01.003.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • White, S. W., Schry, A. R., & Maddox, B. B. (2012). Brief report: The assessment of anxiety in high-functioning adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42, 1138–1145. doi:10.1007/s10803-011-1353-3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Witwer, A. N., & Lecavalier, L. (2010). Validity of comorbid psychiatric disorders in youngsters with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 22, 367–380. doi:10.1007/s10882-010-9194-0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zablotsky, B., Bradshaw, C. P., Anderson, C., & Law, P. A. (2013). The association between bullying and the psychological functioning of children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 34, 1–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychology Department, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, USA

    Vincent Pandolfi PhD

  2. Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA

    Caroline I. Magyar PhD

Authors
  1. Vincent Pandolfi PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Caroline I. Magyar PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vincent Pandolfi PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA

    Johnny L. Matson

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Pandolfi, V., Magyar, C. (2016). Psychopathology. In: Matson, J. (eds) Comorbid Conditions Among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Autism and Child Psychopathology Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-19183-6_7

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation