Assessment of anxiety in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders

Anxiety disorders are among the most common comorbid conditions in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), although assessment presents unique challenges. Many symptoms of anxiety appear to overlap with common presentations of autism. Furthermore, deficits in language and cognitive functioning make it difficult for such children to convey their emotional states accurately. A comprehensive review of the recent literature was conducted to assay the types and rates of use of tools for evaluating anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents with ASDs. We identified strengths and weaknesses in existing scales, identified instruments that (although imperfect) seem to have a good coverage for youngsters with ASDs, recommended strategies for studying anxiety in these youth, and offered suggestions for future scale development.

► Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and anxiety have overlapping symptomology.
► Autism and comorbid anxiety have become a focus of research.
► Thirty-six measures were used to assess anxiety in youth with ASDs since 2000.
► There is still no “gold standard” measure for anxiety in ASDs.
► More research, including more refined scale development, is needed.