Development of the anxiety scale for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASC‐ASD)

Rodgers, Jacqui; Wigham, Sarah; McConachie, Helen; Freeston, Mark H.; Honey, Emma; Parr, Jeremy

doi:10.1002/aur.1603

Cited by 203 publications

(222 citation statements)

References 62 publications

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“…Alternatively, new measures that have been designed specifically to capture anxiety symptoms among youth with autism may offer useful alternatives. These include the Anxiety Scale for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder [Rodgers et al, ] and the Parent‐Rated Anxiety Scale for Youth with ASD [Scahill et al, in press]. Furthermore, as discussed above, the measurement of both state and trait anxiety is important.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The neurobiological presentation of anxiety in autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review

McVey

2019

Autism Research

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Anxiety is common among people with autism and is associated with unique and additive challenges. Anxiety is thought to have neurobiological components, and measures of arousal in typical development have long been studied. Recently, neurobiological measures of anxiety in autism have begun to receive empirical evaluation, but results have not yet been examined together. This systematic review, therefore, summarizes the state of the research of the neurobiology of anxiety in autism. Studies published between 1999 and June 2017 were reviewed. Results across measures of arousal point to inconsistencies in results and a lack of synthesis in the literature. Considerations regarding these inconsistencies are discussed, recommendations for future studies are offered, and clinical implications for this work are presented. Autism Res 2019, 12: 346–369 © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Lay Summary Anxiety is common among people with autism. Because anxiety has been linked with a variety of differences in physiological (bodily) and neurophysiological (brain) functioning in people without autism, research has begun to examine these processes in autism as well. This literature, however, has not yet been examined as a whole. Therefore, this paper begins to address that gap to provide the field with a better understanding of how anxiety affects people with autism and discusses implications for future research and clinical practice.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The neurobiological presentation of anxiety in autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review

McVey

2019

Autism Research

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“…Keefer et al (2016) suggest that directly targeting IU in ASD may be a helpful adjunct to usual CBT approaches. Rodgers et al (2016a) developed a manualized, parent group based treatment program for young people with ASD which focused specifically on IU, which preliminary evaluation indicates has promise as a treatment option for young people with ASD and anxiety.…”

Section: Implications For Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sensory, Emotional and Cognitive Contributions to Anxiety in Autism Spectrum Disorders

South

Rodgers

2017

Front. Hum. Neurosci.

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188

169

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Severe symptoms of anxiety add substantial additional burden to many individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Improved understanding of specific factors that contribute to anxiety in ASD can aid research regarding the causes of autism and also provide targets for more effective intervention. This mini-review article focuses on emerging evidence for three concepts that appear to be related to each other and which also strongly predict anxiety in ASD samples. Atypical sensory function is included in the diagnostic criteria for ASD and is likely an important contributor to anxiety. Difficulties in understanding and labeling emotions (alexithymia), although a co-morbidity, may arise in part from atypical sensory function and can lead to confusion and uncertainty about how to respond to social and emotional situations. Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) describes people who have a particularly hard time with ambiguity and is known to be a key mechanism underlying some anxiety disorders. While evidence for linking these ideas is to date incomplete, we put forward a model including each concept as a framework for future studies. Specifically, we propose that IU is a critical mediator for anxiety in ASD, and explore the relationships between sensory function, alexithymia and IU. We further explore the role of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in regulating emotional response, in connection with limbic and insula-based networks, and suggest that disrupted integration in these networks underlies difficulties with habituation to strong emotional stimuli, which results in an enhanced perception of threat in many people with ASD. Behavioral and biologically-based treatments for anxiety in ASD will benefit from attending to these specific mechanisms as adjunct to traditional interventions.

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“…However, a number of instruments exist to support the identification of anxiety symptoms in ASD [8•, 39•, 51]. Brief, informant report measures include the Child and Adolescent Symptom Inventory (CASI), which was designed to exclude potentially overlapping anxiety and ASD symptoms; the Autism Spectrum Disorders-Comorbidity for Adults scale (ASD-CA); and the Anxiety Scale for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASC-ASD) [5, 23, 52, 53]. Bearss et al (2015) also recently described the use of focus group transcripts generating 52 candidate items for the initial development of a parent-oriented outcome measure of anxiety symptoms in youth with ASD [54].…”

Section: Challenges With Assessment Of Anxiety and Ocd In Asdmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anxiety Disorders and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Postorino

Kerns

Vivanti

et al. 2017

Curr Psychiatry Rep

139

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Purpose of Review This review aims to synthesize the most recent research on anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and discuss the relationship between these conditions and challenges for assessment. Furthermore, implications for treatment and future directions are discussed. Recent Findings Research suggests that anxiety disorders and OCD are highly prevalent in individuals with ASD. However, the significant overlap of ASD features with anxiety and OCD symptomology makes differential diagnosis of these disorders particularly challenging. Though several treatments for anxiety have been adapted for youth with ASD (e.g., cognitive behavior therapy), pharmacological treatments and treatments for adults are still marked undeveloped. Summary Despite the high prevalence of anxiety disorders and OCD in ASD and some recent advances in assessment and treatment, research is needed to clarify the multifaceted relationship of these conditions and develop tailored assessment and treatment approaches appropriate for a full range of individuals with ASD.

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Development of the anxiety scale for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASC‐ASD)

Cited by 203 publications

References 62 publications

The neurobiological presentation of anxiety in autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review

The neurobiological presentation of anxiety in autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review

Sensory, Emotional and Cognitive Contributions to Anxiety in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Anxiety Disorders and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

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