Mild autism spectrum disorders in preschool children: Prevalence, co-occurrent symptoms and psychosocial development

Authors

  • Paula Morales Departamento de Psicología, Universidad Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, España.
  • Edelmira Domènech-Llaberia Departamento de Psicología Clínica y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, España.
  • María C. Jané Departamento de Psicología Clínica y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, España.
  • Josefa Canals Departamento de Psicología, Universidad Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, España.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5944/rppc.vol.18.num.3.2013.12922

Keywords:

Prevalence studies, co-occurrent symptoms, autism spectrum disorders, development, preschool, parental stress, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

Study about the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms in 1104 preschool-aged children attending urban/rural schools. We describe co-occurrent symptoms and compare psychosocial development and parents’ mental health between children with ASD-symptoms, children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, and controls. The prevalence of ASD symptoms ranged between 1.18-2.17% depending on the informants (parents, teachers or both). In ASD children, ADHD symptoms (58%) and tics (50%) were most co-occurrent. There was no difference between ASD and ADHD groups in psychosocial development. The ASD group was perceived less competent than controls in fine coordination, self-help skills, play-with-peers (family) and also less proficient in language comprehension/production skills and pretend-play (school). More than one-third of mothers in the ASD and ADHD groups reported psychological symptoms, significantly differing from control fathers and mothers. For early detection of ASD, family and school information needs to be studied, considering ADHD symptoms as valid early predictors.

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How to Cite

Morales, P., Domènech-Llaberia, E., Jané, M. C., & Canals, J. (2014). Mild autism spectrum disorders in preschool children: Prevalence, co-occurrent symptoms and psychosocial development. Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Psychology   , 18(3), 217–231. https://doi.org/10.5944/rppc.vol.18.num.3.2013.12922

Issue

Section

Original research articles