Mental Health
Authors: Carla B. Kalvin, Theresa R. Gladstone, Rebecca Jordan, Sonia Rowley, Carolyn L. Marsh, Karim Ibrahim, and Denis G. Sukhodolsky
Summary:
Irritability is a common problem in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and it can be associated with other disorders that interfere with day-to-day activities, such as anxiety and depression. In the past, the Affective Reactivity Index (ARI) has been used as a tool to measure irritability in children; however, it has not been specifically studied in people with ASD. This study examined parents' ARI ratings of their children with ASD, as well as parents' ratings of their child's anxiety and noncompliance (difficulty following instructions at times) levels. The results suggest that both anxiety and noncompliance increase irritability, but anxiety affects irritability only when noncompliance is not an issue. The study also found that the ARI is a useful tool for understanding irritability in children with ASD, especially in those who also have anxiety.
Authors: Rebecca Jordan, Carla B. Kalvin, Karim Ibrahim and Denis G. Sukhodolsky
Summary:
This study explored parents' influence on the way children process and express emotions, specifically in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and anxiety. The research group included children aged 8-15 with ASD and anxiety, as well as children with neither condition. Parents were asked to rate their reactions to their children's negative emotions, and both parents and children were asked to rate the child's anxiety levels. Results showed that parents from both groups did not differ in the types of responses they supported. However, in children with ASD and anxiety, more emotional responses from parents were associated with greater anxiety levels. Overall, the paper highlights how parents' approaches to emotional responses can impact the way their children experience emotions, specifically in children with ASD and anxiety.
Authors: Carla B. Kalvin, Carolyn L. Marsh, Karim Ibrahim, Theresa R. Gladstone, Diana Woodward, Heidi Grantz, Pamela Ventola, and Denis G. Sukhodolsky
Summary:
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly experience anxiety. This study explores how parents and children with ASD may view their anxiety levels differently. There were three groups of participants: children with ASD and anxiety, children with ASD without anxiety, and children with neither. Researchers had all parents and children rate the child's anxiety using an Anxiety Rating Scale. Results showed that the parents' rating of anxiety was greater than the child's in only the ASD + Anxiety group. It also showed that having more severe ASD symptoms is positively related to how much the parents' rating exceeds the child's rating. These findings show the importance of considering both the child's and the parent's perspectives to better understand a child's anxiety.