Trajectories of co-occurring psychopathology symptoms in autism from late childhood to adulthood

Abstract

Given high rates of co-occurring conditions in youth and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it is critical to examine the developmental trajectories of these symptoms of psychopathology. Using data from a cohort of participants (n = 194), most of whom were first assessed for ASD in very early childhood, we investigated the trajectories of co-occurring depressive, anxiety, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms from late childhood to adulthood. Additionally, childhood predictors and adult outcomes associated with these symptom trajectories were examined. Using group-based trajectory modeling, we found two distinct classes of individuals exhibiting each of these co-occurring symptom patterns: one class exhibited fairly low symptoms across time, and one class with elevated symptoms with varied fluctuation across time (ADHD symptoms starting high but decreasing, anxiety symptoms high and stable, and depressive symptoms fluctuating but peaking at clinically significant levels in young adulthood). All high trajectory classes were associated with age 9 adaptive skills; verbal IQ predicted higher anxiety and depressive symptom classes. After accounting for verbal IQ, all high symptom trajectory classes were negative predictors of objective adult outcomes. These findings call for wide-ranging considerations of the needs of individuals across ability levels, autism symptoms, and behavioral and emotional challenges.

Focusing on Autism Spectrum Disorder in Xia–Gibbs Syndrome: Description of a Female with High Functioning Autism and Literature Review

“…Aggressiveness, oppositional-defiant disorder (ODD) symptoms and mild self-injurious behaviours as reaction to frustration are also present in our patient. Such psychopathological features may be, however, an expression of the autistic functioning or could represent additional symptoms occurring in the evolution of ASD [41]. Therefore, the presence of the abovementioned symptoms deserves to be deepened by searching for ASD features not previously noticed [42].…”

Predicting Uncertain Multi-Dimensional Adulthood Outcomes From Childhood and Adolescent Data in People Referred to Autism Services

“…This task is made more complicated by the multi-facetted nature of the adult outcome and the increased variety of contexts and resources available to autistic adults, compared to the more structured settings available in childhood. What constitutes a good outcome in adulthood for an autistic child can vary from person to person ( Lounds Taylor, 2017 ; McCauley et al, 2020 ). Reduction of the severity of symptoms related to ASD can be viewed as both positive or negative ( Bagatell, 2010 ).…”

“…Reduction of the severity of symptoms related to ASD can be viewed as both positive or negative ( Bagatell, 2010 ). Poor social functioning has been observed in autistic adults and may lead to reduced quality of life ( McCauley et al, 2020 ) but not always ( Billstedt et al, 2011 ; Howlin et al, 2013 ). To make prognoses that can capture what a good outcome may look like, we take two approaches.…”

“…We used a latent class model to reduce the adult outcome, characterized by 15 diverse measures spanning IQ to well-being, to a set of four classes each with a distinctive profile across these measures ( Pickles et al, 2020 ). A second latent class approach to this data involved creating groups based on trajectories of ADHD, anxiety and depression symptoms ( McCauley et al, 2020 ). These different approaches have led to important insights.…”

Avaliação de aspectos emocionais e comportamentais de crianças com Transtorno do Espectro Autista

“…De qualquer modo, deve-se atentar para a pontuação clínica/limítrofe nas escalas supracitadas, pois elas também podem estar indicando transtornos psiquiátricos comórbidos ao TEA, tais como transtornos de ansiedade ou transtornos depressivos. A literatura vem mostrando importantes associações entre TEA e comorbidades psiquiátricas, como ansiedade e depressão (McCauley, Elias & Lord, 2020).…”