title: Effects of symptoms of co-morbid psychopathology on challenging behaviours among infants and toddlers with Autistic Disorder and PDD-NOS as assessed with the Baby and Infant Screen for Children with aUtIsm Traits (BISCUIT).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine whether level of symptoms of co-morbid psychopathology exacerbated challenging behaviours in young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the Baby and Infant Screen for Children with aUtIsm Traits (BISCUIT)-Part 2 which measures co-morbid symptoms and the BISCUIT- Part 3 which examines challenging behaviours, 362 infants and toddlers with ASD were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings showed that participants scoring high on symptoms of Avoidance and Tantrum/Conduct problems had greater rates of aggressive/destructive behaviours, self-injurious behaviours (SIB) and stereotypies compared to those with low scores. Participants with high levels of Inattention/Impulsivity or Eat/Sleep concerns, compared to those with low levels, demonstrated greater aggressive/destructive behaviour and stereotypies. For symptoms of Anxiety/Repetitive Behaviours, participants with high scores displayed greater levels of stereotypies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Symptoms of co-morbid psychopathology are present at a very early age for children with ASD and elevated levels of these symptoms may exacerbate challenging behaviours.
authors.affiliation: Louisiana State University , Baton Rouge, LA , USA.
authors.forename: Johnny L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Matson
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mahan
authors.forename: Jill C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Fodstad
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Worley
authors.forename: Daniene
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Neal
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sipes
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000150:complications*