title: Autism spectrum traits in children with mood and anxiety disorders.
abstract: The autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) can present with symptoms commonly found in mood and anxiety disorders. The Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ), Children's Communication Checklist (CCC-2), and the Social Reciprocity Scale (SRS) were used to screen children in a mood disorders research clinic setting for symptoms of ASD. Ninety-three patients (mean age, 12.7 +/- 2.8 years; percent male, 63%) completed at least one scale, and 50 children completed all three. The prevalence of those screening positive for a possible ASD on one instrument was 62% and on all three measures was 8%. Fifty-seven percent (n = 21/37; odds ratio, 4.59 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.40-15.11]) of those scoring in the "ASD-likely" range on the SRS scored in that range on the CCC-2. Only 16% (n = 6/37; odds ratio, not significant (NS)) of those scoring in the ASD-likely range on the SRS, and 14% (n = 5/37; odds ratio, NS) of those scoring in the ASD-likely range on the CCC-2, scored similarly on the SCQ. These results demonstrate a need to develop valid and reliable instruments to screen for ASDs in children presenting outside of ASD clinics.
authors.affiliation: Mood and Anxiety Program, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. Kenneth.Towbin@nih.gov
authors.forename: Kenneth E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Towbin
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pradella
authors.forename: Tristan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gorrindo
authors.forename: Daniel S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Pine
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Leibenluft
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires