Psychiatric symptoms in children and adolescents with higher functioning autism spectrum disorders on the Development and Well-Being Assessment

The Development and Well-Being Assessment (DAWBA) parent interview was used to assess psychiatric symptoms in children and adolescents with higher functioning autism spectrum disorders (ASD) (n = 60; age range 6.5-16.7) and in typically developing (TD) children and adolescents (n = 60; age range 6.9-16.2). Psychiatric symptoms were reported in the ASD group (68%) significantly more compared to the TD group (12%). Specifically, emotional disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder/hyperkinesis, and tic disorders were significantly more frequent in the ASD group compared to the TD group. Routine screening and early identification of these symptoms could have important implications for planning interventions and thus outcome in individuals with higher functioning ASD. The DAWBA would be a useful interview for this purpose, since it can also be easily and quickly administered in clinics not specialized in psychiatry.