Adaptive Behavior, Emotional/Behavioral Problems and Parental Stress in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Published in: Frontiers in neuroscience Vol. 15; p. 751465
• Main Authors: Operto, Francesca Felicia, Pastorino, Grazia Maria Giovanna, Scuoppo, Chiara, Padovano, Chiara, Vivenzio, Valentina, Pistola, Ilaria, Belfiore, Gilda, Rinaldi, Rosetta, de Simone, Valeria, Coppola, Giangennaro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Research Foundation 25.11.2021; Frontiers Media S.A
• Subjects: adaptive functioning; Age; Autism; autism spectrum disorder; Autistic children; Behavior; Children; Clinical medicine; Communication; Emotional behavior; emotional/behavioral problems; Families & family life; Motor ability; neurodevelopmental disorders; Neuropsychology; Neuroscience; Parental behavior; parental stress; Parents & parenting; Quality of life; Social interaction; Socialization; Stress; emotional/behavioral problems; parental stress; adaptive functioning; autism spectrum disorder; neurodevelopmental disorders
• ISSN: 1662-453X; 1662-4548; 1662-453X
• DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.751465

Background: The aim of our study was to compare adaptive skills, emotional/behavioral problems, and parental stress among children with different severity levels of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) symptoms. Methods: This study included a sample of 88 subjects with ASD (mean age = 6.00 ± 2.70). All subjects underwent standardized neuropsychological tests for the assessment of symptoms of the autism spectrum (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Second Edition), adaptive level (The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Survey Interview, 2nd edition), behavioral and emotional problems (Child Behavior CheckList CBCL), and parental stress (Parental Stress Index Short Form-PSI-SF). Non-parametric statistical methods (Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U -test for post hoc analysis) and linear regression analysis were used in this study. Results: C hildren who had higher severity levels of ASD symptoms had less adaptive functioning; younger children showed more severe symptoms of ASD; older children had better communication skills. The presence of greater adaptive difficulties was related to a greater presence of internalizing problems. An increase in parental stress levels was related to an higher severity of ASD symptoms, fewer adaptive skills, and a greater presence of internalizing and externalizing problems. Conclusion: This study suggests that the adaptive behavior should be considered in order to planning a habilitation intervention in children with autism. It is also important to monitor emotional/behavioral problems and parental stress levels in order to provide parenting support and improve the family quality of life.