Exploring anxiety symptoms in a large‐scale twin study of children with autism spectrum disorders, their co‐twins and controls

Hallett, Victoria; Ronald, Angelica; Colvert, Emma; Ames, Catherine; Woodhouse, Emma; Lietz, Stephanie; Garnett, Tracy; Gillan, Nicola; Rijsdijk, Frühling; Scahill, Lawrence; Bolton, Patrick; Happé, Francesca

doi:10.1111/jcpp.12068

Cited by 71 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…These results are in line with Schwartz et al's (2009) study where parents described their children with ASD as having a temperament comprising more negative affectivity and fear, and less pleasure. More broadly, our results fit well with a growing number of studies on negative affectivity in ASD (Hallett et al 2013) frequently highlighting comorbid anxiety and depression disorders (Hofvander et al 2009;Lugnegård et al 2011;Sterling et al 2008;Stewart et al 2006). Depression and anxiety are even considered as secondary disorders in ASD (Schultz 2005), and the impact of psychopharmacological interventions targeting anxiety and mood disorders in individuals with ASD is now being developed (Boyd et al 2011).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Tracking Social Motivation Systems Deficits: The Affective Neuroscience View of Autism

Carré

Chevallier

Robel

et al. 2015

J Autism Dev Disord

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Abnormal functioning of primary brain systems that express and modulate basic emotional drives are increasingly considered to underlie mental disorders including autism spectrum disorders. We hypothesized that ASD are characterized by disruptions in the primary systems involved in the motivation for social bonding. Twenty adults with ASD were compared to 20 neurotypical participants on the basis of self-reports and clinical assessments, including the Social Anhedonia Scale (SAS) and the Affective Neuroscience Personality Scales (ANPS). ASD diagnosis was related to SAS, as well as to positive (PLAYFULNESS) and negative (FEAR) ANPS-traits. In the overall sample, levels of autistic traits (AQ) were related to SAS and PLAYFULNESS. We argue that PLAYFULNESS could be at the root of social bonding impairments in ASD.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Tracking Social Motivation Systems Deficits: The Affective Neuroscience View of Autism

Carré

Chevallier

Robel

et al. 2015

J Autism Dev Disord

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“…SC ability is a continuously distributed trait that extends throughout the general population, 9 with those who experience severe difficulties often receiving a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by SC difficulties and restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. SA co-occurs highly in children with ASD (4.5−9.5 years) and high subthreshold ASD traits (10−15 years),10, 11 suggesting that those with greater SC difficulties may have a heightened risk of developing SA disorder. However, the developmental relationship between SC difficulties and SA is unclear.…”

Section: Sa and Social Communication Difficulties In Childhoodmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are Social and Communication Difficulties a Risk Factor for the Development of Social Anxiety?

Pickard

Rijsdijk

Happé

et al. 2017

Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psych

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ObjectiveSocial anxiety (SA) is a common condition associated with social and communication (SC) difficulties in typically developing young people, as well as those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Whether SC difficulties place children at risk for developing SA is unclear. Using a longitudinal design, the present study aimed to disentangle the relationship between SA symptoms and SC difficulties using a population-based sample of 9,491 children from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC).MethodParent-reported data on SC difficulties and SA symptoms were collected at ages 7, 10, and 13 years. A cross-lagged panel model was used to investigate the longitudinal stability and directional relationship between latent SC difficulties and SA constructs over time.ResultsMore SC difficulties were associated with greater SA symptoms at all ages. Earlier SC difficulties predicted a small but significant amount of variance in later SA symptoms. The reverse relationship from SA to SC difficulties was not observed. The relationship from SC difficulties to SA was strongest from age 7 to 10 years. No sex differences were observed.ConclusionThe evidence suggests that SC difficulties may be an important risk factor for the development of SA. These findings suggest the potential usefulness of incorporating social skills training alongside effective interventions to prevent or alleviate symptoms of SA in childhood.

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“…Kerns et al [12▪] found that language ability was associated with traditional DSM-defined anxiety, whereas ASD severity was associated with atypical anxiety. Additionally, Hallett et al [14▪] found differential relationships between particular types of anxiety and ASD symptoms. Social anxiety was negatively correlated with social and communication impairment, whereas panic and OCD symptoms were positively correlated with the restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs).…”

Section: Prevalence and Phenotype Of Anxiety In Autism Spectrum Disordermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a study of older children with ASD, higher verbal IQ was associated with greater anxiety, but nonverbal IQ was unrelated [9▪]. Regarding specific types of anxiety, Hallett et al [14▪] found that social anxiety was positively correlated with IQ, whereas separation anxiety was negatively correlated with IQ. These results highlight the differential impact of cognitive and verbal ability on the experience and behavioral manifestations of anxiety among children with ASD.…”

Section: Risk Factors and Correlates Of Anxiety In Autism Spectrum DImentioning

confidence: 99%

An update on anxiety in youth with autism spectrum disorders

Vasa

Mazurek

2015

Current Opinion in Psychiatry

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Purpose of review Anxiety is one of the most common co-occurring psychiatric conditions in youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). This article reviews recent evidence as well as earlier relevant studies regarding the characteristics, assessment, and treatment of anxiety in youth with ASD. Recent findings It is well established that the prevalence of anxiety in youth with an ASD is significantly greater than the prevalence of anxiety in the general population. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of informant, method, and instrument when measuring anxiety in this population. Despite the high prevalence, findings to date have been unable to identify any consistent risk factors for anxiety. New psychological treatments, including modified cognitive behavioral therapy for youth with high functioning ASD and co-occurring anxiety, are emerging. Pharmacological data, however, are scant. Existing studies show that youth with ASD are at increased risk for behavioral activation when taking SSRIs. Summary Clinicians working with youth with ASD are encouraged to routinely screen for anxiety. Until further data are available, clinical judgment is needed when prescribing treatments, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which require close monitoring of side-effects. Research on risk factors, pathophysiology, and treatment of this condition is needed.

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Exploring anxiety symptoms in a large‐scale twin study of children with autism spectrum disorders, their co‐twins and controls

Cited by 71 publications

References 41 publications

Tracking Social Motivation Systems Deficits: The Affective Neuroscience View of Autism

Tracking Social Motivation Systems Deficits: The Affective Neuroscience View of Autism

Are Social and Communication Difficulties a Risk Factor for the Development of Social Anxiety?

An update on anxiety in youth with autism spectrum disorders

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