Parent Descriptions of the Presentation and Management of Anxiousness in Children on the Autism Spectrum
Saved in:
| Title: | Parent Descriptions of the Presentation and Management of Anxiousness in Children on the Autism Spectrum |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Adams, Dawn (ORCID |
| Source: | Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. May 2019 23(4):980-992. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 13 |
| Publication Date: | 2019 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Correlation, Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Anxiety, Parent Attitudes, Children, Adolescents, Family Environment, Educational Environment, Parent Child Relationship, Context Effect, Behavior Change, Identification, Intervention, Mental Health, Foreign Countries, Classification |
| Geographic Terms: | Australia |
| DOI: | 10.1177/1362361318794031 |
| ISSN: | 1362-3613 |
| Abstract: | The complex interaction between anxiety and autism has led to debate about the presentation of anxiety in individuals on the spectrum and questions about the extent to which traditional checklists assess the entire range of symptomatology. Moreover, studies to date have not explored how the presentation of anxiety may differ between settings. Through a combination of open-ended questions, closed questions and standardised measures, parents of 173 children (aged 6-13) on the autism spectrum provided (1) descriptors of their child's anxiety at home, school and in the community and (2) strategies used to reduce their child's anxiety in each setting. Over half (52.6%) felt their child was anxious at home, 77.6% at school and 76.2% in the community. Parents reported differing presentations of anxiety between settings, with the majority of descriptions relating to observable, behavioural changes (e.g. hides/shuts down, repetitive behaviours) rather than cognitive or physiological signs. Parents also reported using different strategies across settings. The use of open-ended questions allowed the identification of signs of anxiety not explored within traditional questionnaires and highlighted the potential for signs to vary across settings. This knowledge is critical to inform the development or adaptations of anxiety measures and interventions. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2019 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1217177 |
| Database: | ERIC |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Login for full access.
|
|
| Abstract: | The complex interaction between anxiety and autism has led to debate about the presentation of anxiety in individuals on the spectrum and questions about the extent to which traditional checklists assess the entire range of symptomatology. Moreover, studies to date have not explored how the presentation of anxiety may differ between settings. Through a combination of open-ended questions, closed questions and standardised measures, parents of 173 children (aged 6-13) on the autism spectrum provided (1) descriptors of their child's anxiety at home, school and in the community and (2) strategies used to reduce their child's anxiety in each setting. Over half (52.6%) felt their child was anxious at home, 77.6% at school and 76.2% in the community. Parents reported differing presentations of anxiety between settings, with the majority of descriptions relating to observable, behavioural changes (e.g. hides/shuts down, repetitive behaviours) rather than cognitive or physiological signs. Parents also reported using different strategies across settings. The use of open-ended questions allowed the identification of signs of anxiety not explored within traditional questionnaires and highlighted the potential for signs to vary across settings. This knowledge is critical to inform the development or adaptations of anxiety measures and interventions. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1362-3613 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/1362361318794031 |
