Comorbid psychopathology symptom rates in infants and toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorders

• Infants and toddlers should be assessed for comorbid symptoms.
• Early interventions should also target comorbid symptomology.
• Comorbid symptoms are significantly greater in infants with ASD.

In comparison to both typically and atypically developing peers, researchers investigating the rates of comorbid psychopathology symptoms in infants and toddlers with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have not been widespread. Additionally, the DSM-5 introduced structural criteria changes for the ASD diagnostic group. The current study included 205 infants between 17 and 37 months who were part of a screening program assessing children for developmental delays or a general medical condition placing them at risk for a developmental delay. Each participant was administered the Baby and Infant Screen for Children with aUtIsm Traits-Part 2 (BISCUIT-Part 2) as part of a broader screening package. The BISCUIT-Part 2 is a measure of comorbid psychopathology symptoms which includes a normative ASD group. Following completion of the screeners, participants were separated into either the ASD or atypically developing diagnostic categories based upon clinical diagnosis. The scores for each subscale of the BISCUIT-Part 2 were calculated and used to indicate the presence of comorbid symptoms. Statistical analyses identified that comorbid psychopathology symptoms occur at significantly greater rates in infants and toddlers diagnosed with ASD when compared to an atypically developing peer group. The implications of these findings as well as future directions are discussed.