Comorbid Psychiatric Disorders Associated with Asperger Syndrome/High-functioning Autism: A Community- and Clinic-based Study

• Published in: Journal of autism and developmental disorders Vol. 40; no. 9; pp. 1080 - 1093
• Main Authors: Mattila, Marja-Leena, Hurtig, Tuula, Haapsamo, Helena, Jussila, Katja, Kuusikko-Gauffin, Sanna, Kielinen, Marko, Linna, Sirkka-Liisa, Ebeling, Hanna, Bloigu, Risto, Joskitt, Leena, Pauls, David L., Moilanen, Irma
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.09.2010; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescents; Anxiety Disorders; Anxiety Disorders - complications; Anxiety Disorders - diagnosis; Anxiety Disorders - psychology; Asperger Syndrome; Asperger Syndrome - complications; Asperger Syndrome - psychology; Asperger's syndrome; Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders - complications; Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders - diagnosis; Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders - psychology; Autism; Behavior Disorders; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child and School Psychology; Child clinical studies; Children; Comorbidity; Depressive Disorder, Major - complications; Depressive Disorder, Major - diagnosis; Depressive Disorder, Major - psychology; Developmental disorders; Emotional Disturbances; Female; Grade 6; High functioning; Humans; Incidence; Infantile autism; Male; Medical sciences; Mental Disorders; Mental Disorders - complications; Mental Disorders - diagnosis; Mental Disorders - psychology; Miscellaneous; Neurological Impairments; Neurosciences; Original Paper; Pediatrics; Prevalence; Psychiatric disorders; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Psychology; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Public Health; Sex Factors; Tic Disorders - complications; Tic Disorders - diagnosis; Tic Disorders - psychology; Europe; Finland; Autism spectrum disorders; Autism; CGAS; Asperger syndrome; Comorbidity; Pervasive developmental disorders; Human; Social environment; Prevalence; Mental health; Social adjustment; Developmental disorder; Epidemiology; Concomitant disease; Pervasive developmental disorder; School age; Adolescent; Mental disorder; Diagnosis; Child; Public health; High functioning autism
• ISSN: 0162-3257; 1573-3432; 1573-3432
• DOI: 10.1007/s10803-010-0958-2

The present study identifies the prevalence and types of comorbid psychiatric disorders associated with Asperger syndrome (AS)/high-functioning autism (HFA) in a combined community- and clinic-based sample of fifty 9- to 16-year-old subjects using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children, Present and Lifetime Version. The level of functioning was estimated using the Children’s Global Assessment Scale. The results support common (prevalence 74%) and often multiple comorbid psychiatric disorders in AS/HFA; behavioral disorders were shown in 44%, anxiety disorders in 42% and tic disorders in 26%. Oppositional defiant disorder, major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders as comorbid conditions indicated significantly lower levels of functioning. To target interventions, routine evaluation of psychiatric comorbidity in subjects with AS/HFA is emphasized.