Susie Chandler1,2, Patricia Howlin2,3, Emily Simonoff2,4, Tony O'Sullivan5, Evelin Tseng6, Juliet Kennedy7, Tony Charman2, Gillian Baird1. 1. Paediatric Neurosciences, Newcomen Centre, Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, King's Health Partners, London, UK. 2. Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK. 3. Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 4. National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK. 5. Kaleidoscope - Lewisham Centre for Children and Young People, Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust, London, UK. 6. Bromley Healthcare CIC Ltd, London, UK. 7. The Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, UK.
Abstract
AIM: To assess the frequency, pervasiveness, associated features, and persistence of emotional and behavioural problems in a community sample of young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHOD: Parents (n=277) and teachers (n=228) of 4- to 8-year-olds completed the Developmental Behaviour Checklist (DBC). Intellectual ability and autism symptomatology were also assessed. A subsample repeated the DBC. RESULTS: Three-quarters of the cohort scored above the clinical cut-off on the Developmental Behaviour Checklist Primary Carer Version (DBC-P) questionnaire; almost two-thirds of these scored above cut-off on the Developmental Behaviour Checklist Teacher Version (DBC-T) questionnaire. In 81%, problems persisted above threshold 14 months later. Higher DBC-P scores were associated with greater autism symptomatology, higher deprivation index, parental unemployment, and more children in the home but not with parental education or ethnicity, or child's age or sex. Children with IQ>70 scored higher for disruptive behaviour, depression, and anxiety symptoms; those with IQ<70 scored higher for self-absorption and hyperactivity. INTERPRETATION: The DBC identifies a range of additional behaviour problems that are common in ASD and which could be the focus for specific intervention. The results highlight the potential benefit of systematic screening for co-existing problems.
AIM: To assess the frequency, pervasiveness, associated features, and persistence of emotional and behavioural problems in a community sample of young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHOD: Parents (n=277) and teachers (n=228) of 4- to 8-year-olds completed the Developmental Behaviour Checklist (DBC). Intellectual ability and autism symptomatology were also assessed. A subsample repeated the DBC. RESULTS: Three-quarters of the cohort scored above the clinical cut-off on the Developmental Behaviour Checklist Primary Carer Version (DBC-P) questionnaire; almost two-thirds of these scored above cut-off on the Developmental Behaviour Checklist Teacher Version (DBC-T) questionnaire. In 81%, problems persisted above threshold 14 months later. Higher DBC-P scores were associated with greater autism symptomatology, higher deprivation index, parental unemployment, and more children in the home but not with parental education or ethnicity, or child's age or sex. Children with IQ>70 scored higher for disruptive behaviour, depression, and anxiety symptoms; those with IQ<70 scored higher for self-absorption and hyperactivity. INTERPRETATION: The DBC identifies a range of additional behaviour problems that are common in ASD and which could be the focus for specific intervention. The results highlight the potential benefit of systematic screening for co-existing problems.
Authors: Jessica S Oliveira; Felipe O Franco; Mirian C Revers; Andréia F Silva; Joana Portolese; Helena Brentani; Ariane Machado-Lima; Fátima L S Nunes Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2021-05-12 Impact factor: 4.379
Authors: Catherine Lord; Traolach S Brugha; Tony Charman; James Cusack; Guillaume Dumas; Thomas Frazier; Emily J H Jones; Rebecca M Jones; Andrew Pickles; Matthew W State; Julie Lounds Taylor; Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele Journal: Nat Rev Dis Primers Date: 2020-01-16 Impact factor: 52.329