Anxiety may begin early in life for children with ASD

While elevated rates of anxiety are well documented in teens and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), a study from Spain suggests that this problem can begin very early in life.

Montserrat Durán-Bouza and colleagues analyzed data on 82 Spanish children with ASD, all between three and six years of age. Parents of the children provided demographic information and completed the Anxiety Scale for Children with ASD (ASC-ASD) and the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ).

The researchers found that approximately 30% of the children exhibited significant symptoms of anxiety. The highest scores were seen on the “uncertainty” subscale of the ASC-ASD, which the researchers say reflects “heightened anxiety in response to novel or stressful situations and sensory overload.” There was a significant correlation between stereotypical behaviors reported on the SCQ and elevated levels of anxiety.

While the researchers detected a high rate of anxiety in their study population, they note that this was lower than the rates reported in older children with ASD. “This aligns with previous research suggesting
that anxiety symptoms in children with ASD may intensify with age,” they say.

The researchers suggest that expanding current interventions for anxiety in ASD to include younger children could significantly enhance their quality of life. In particular, they say, “Early implementation of strategies to manage uncertainty may reduce anxiety levels and foster greater emotional resilience in young children with ASD.”

Citations

“Early detection of anxiety symptoms in autism spectrum disorder: An exploratory study in a Spanish sample of 3- 6-year-old children,” Montserrat Durán-Bouza, Silvia Gómez-Ríos, Margarita Cañadas-Pérez, and Juan-Carlos Brenlla-Blanco, PLOS One, January 31, 2025 (free online). Address: Juan-Carlos Brenlla Blanco, [email protected].