This article describes the anxiety observed in children with autism spectrum disorders.
Anxiety is comorbid in about 40% of children or adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Various kind of anxiety as noted among typically developing children also occur in children with autism spectrum disorder. However, it is often difficult to distinguish anxiety symptoms from symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, so caution is required. In general, the frequency of overall and generalized anxiety increases with age.
However, some types of anxiety are more common at younger ages. Comorbid attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder increases the rate of anxiety among children with autism spectrum disorders. A high rate of anxiety symptoms is also seen in preschoolers with autism spectrum disorders, but the effects of comorbid attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder are not clear. However, an association between the intensity of anxiety, and oppositional defiant disorder and social withdrawal has been noted. Anxiety is an issue that should always be considered in supporting autism spectrum disorders.