Caregiver-Teacher Concordance of Challenging Behaviors in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Served in Community Mental Health Settings.
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit high rates of challenging behaviors that impair functioning and represent the primary presenting problem in mental health (MH) services. Obtaining symptom reports from multiple informants is critical for treatment planning. This study evaluated caregiver-teacher concordance of ratings of the intensity of challenging behaviors in children with ASD receiving MH services, and identified child clinical factors associated with concordance. This sample included 141 children (M = 9.07 years), their caregivers, and teachers. Caregiver-teacher concordance of challenging behaviors was low and impacted by the degree and type of child psychiatric comorbidity. Findings support need for increased attention to the range of psychiatric problems children with ASD present to tailor treatment recommendations and service delivery.
Department of Psychiatry, University of California, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA. nstadnic@ucsd.edu.|Child and Adolescent Services Research Center, 3665 Kearny Villa Road, Suite 200, San Diego, CA, 92123, USA. nstadnic@ucsd.edu.
Nicole
N
Stadnick
Department of Psychiatry, University of California, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA.|Child and Adolescent Services Research Center, 3665 Kearny Villa Road, Suite 200, San Diego, CA, 92123, USA.
Colby
C
Chlebowski
Department of Psychiatry, University of California, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA.|Child and Adolescent Services Research Center, 3665 Kearny Villa Road, Suite 200, San Diego, CA, 92123, USA.
Lauren
L
Brookman-Frazee
D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008605:Mental Health Services; D000070777:School Teachers / Q000523:psychology*
Autism spectrum disorder; Caregiver-teacher concordance; Challenging behaviors; Psychiatric comorbidity; School-age children