title: A multimethod assessment of anxiety and problem behavior in children with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disability.
abstract: Despite the increased risk for anxiety disorders in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), there is a lack of research on the assessment and treatment of anxiety in this population, particularly for those with an intellectual disability (ID). The present study evaluated a multimethod strategy for the assessment of anxiety and problem behavior in three children with ASD and ID. Anxiety was operationally defined using: (1) behavioral data from anxious behaviors, (2) affective/contextual data from parent-report and observer ratings of overall anxiety, and (3) physiological data (heart rate [HR] and respiratory sinus arrhythmia [RSA]). A functional assessment of problem behavior during high- and low-anxiety conditions was conducted. Higher levels of problem behavior and HR and lower RSA were found in the high-anxiety than in the low-anxiety conditions.
authors.forename: Lauren J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Moskowitz
authors.forename: Emile
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mulder
authors.forename: Caitlin E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Darlene Magito
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: McLaughlin
authors.forename: Jennifer R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Zarcone
authors.forename: Greg Hajcak
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Proudfit
authors.forename: Edward G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Carr
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male