Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) showed higher levels of emotional and behavioral problems, including depression, anxiety, and ADHD, compared to their peers without ASD, according to a new study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program.
Key Takeaways:
- Children with ASD had higher scores on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)—a questionnaire that helps identify emotional and behavioral challenges in children and adolescents—showing they may experience more emotional and behavioral challenges overall.
- Higher CBCL scores were linked to the likelihood of receiving an ASD diagnosis, particularly for children scoring in the top 30%.
- Among children with ASD, girls experienced significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression compared to boys, with age-related differences in symptom severity.
- Autism-related traits measured by the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) were associated with higher CBCL scores, suggesting that children with more autism traits may face additional emotional and behavioral challenges.
These findings highlight the importance of monitoring and addressing emotional and behavioral health in children with ASD to better inform early interventions. To learn more, access the study online.