title: Associations Among Symptoms of Autism, Symptoms of Depression and Executive Functions in Children with High-Functioning Autism: A 2 Year Follow-Up Study.
abstract: This study investigated the course of and association among changes in autism symptoms, depression symptoms and executive functions (EF) in children with high-functioning autism (HFA). Thirty-four children with HFA and 45 typically developing children (age 9-16) were assessed at baseline and after 2 years. Children with HFA had impaired scores on all measures at both time points. According to parent reports, depressive symptoms decreased over time, while EF improved and autism symptoms were stable. Children's reports did not reveal less depressive symptoms over time. A positive association was found only between changes in autism symptoms and changes in symptoms of depression. A possible implication is that interventions aimed at either autism symptoms or symptoms of depression may improve the other.
authors.affiliation: Division Mental Health Care, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Anders Sandvigsgate 17, 2629, Lillehammer, Norway, pernoan@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Per Normann
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Erik Winther
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Skogli
authors.forename: Kjell Tore
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Hovik
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Egeland
authors.forename: Merete
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Øie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D063189:Symptom Assessment