Mental Disorders in Children and Adolescents With Autism

Author(s):  
Areti-Eirini Filiou

Children and adolescents with autism frequently have symptoms of various mental disorders along with the features that define autism. Problems with anxiety, depression, emotion regulation, cognitive problems, and associated behavioural problems occur in children with autism of all ages. Overall, high rates of several psychiatric disorders have been reported in individuals with autism. Several authors have suggested cognitive and behaviour therapy (CBT) as a very useful intervention therapy, which can apply in schools, in order to help these children with autism and mental health disorders. It is also important the use of information and communications technology (ICT) and other computer programs to support students with autism in education. Therefore, with a coordinated effort to use this intervention program, schools have an opportunity to address the goals of improving social, emotional, and behavioural competence for these students and minimising the impact of established emotional, behavioural, or educational disorders.

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 442-449 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Grossi ◽  
L. Migliore ◽  
F. Muratori

AbstractThis study, carried out in two Italian Institutions, assesses the frequency of 27 potential autism risk factors related to pregnancy and peri- and postnatal periods by interviewing mothers who had children with autism, children with autism and one or two typically developing siblings, or only typically developing children. The clinical sample included three case groups: 73 children and adolescents with autism (Group A), 35 children and adolescents with autism (Group A1) having 45 siblings (Group B) and 96 typically developing children (Group C) matched for gender and age. Twenty-five out of 27 of risk factors presented a higher frequency in Group A in comparison with Group C and for nine of them a statistically significant difference was found. Twenty-one out of 27 of risk factors presented a higher frequency in Group A in comparison with Group B. A higher prevalence of environmental risk factors was observed in 11 risk factors in the Group A1 in comparison with Group B and for nine of them an odds ratio higher than 1.5 was found. For 13 factors there was a progressive increase in frequency going from Group C, B and A and a statistically higher prevalence of the mean number of stressful events per pregnancy was recorded in Group A when compared with Groups B and C. The results suggest that environmental, incidental phenomena and stressful life events can influence pregnancy outcome in predisposed subjects, pointing out a possible threshold effect in women who are predisposed to have suboptimal pregnancies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (Spring/Summer) ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Orsolya Pachner ◽  
Gabor Aranyi

The restrictions and lockdown measures implemented in response to the Covid-19 pandemic have posed a pronounced risk to the mental health of people with autism and their families. We discuss specific difficulties affecting children and adolescents with autism and their families during the pandemic, drawing on a broad range of recently published research in many countries and regions. A global perspective is adopted to provide an overview of the state of affairs and identify good practices. We consider challenges in four areas: research and practice related to autism, challenges facing children and adolescents with autism, specific difficulties in their education and care, and challenges facing their parents and families. Based on the reviewed work and our experience in group support sessions with parents of children with autism, we conclude that supporting families affected by autism should emphasize promoting the parents' well-being and coping potential to improve their resilience.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 181-191
Author(s):  
Anida Szafrańska

Children and adolescents with autism and Asperger syndrome are a diverse group in terms of their social, emotional, cognitive and communicative functioning. In every child and young person, dis-orders manifest themselves in different ways and with different intensity; therefore, the choice of the best form of education should be considered individually. The present article deals with education of children and adolescents with autism and Asperger syndrome. Moreover, attention has been drawn here to the growing interest of parents in inclusive education. What is more, the principles of creating optimal learning conditions have been discussed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
O.A. Vlasova

Active work on the establishing of psychological, medical and social support for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders in the state of Algeria began two decades ago. The issues of infrastructure organization, staff training and choice of techniques for work with children and adolescents with autism are considered. The practice of the capital day hospital is described in detail, as well as the issues of specialists and parents education and training to help children with autism. The training of mothers of children with autism, the activity of co-therapists and the basics of the TEACCH program has made it possible to achieve notable successes in the development of the cognitive sphere of their children. To be continued in the following issues


1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 1151-1159 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. BARON-COHEN ◽  
V. L. SCAHILL ◽  
J. IZAGUIRRE ◽  
H. HORNSEY ◽  
M. M. ROBERTSON

Background. An earlier small-scale study of children with autism revealed that 8·1% of such patients were co-morbid for Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS). The present study is a large scale test of whether this result replicates.Method. Four hundred and forty-seven pupils from nine schools for children and adolescents with autism were screened for the presence of motor and vocal tics.Results. Subsequent family interviews confirmed the co-morbid diagnosis of definite GTS in 19 children, giving a prevalence rate of 4·3%. A further 10 children were diagnosed with probable GTS (2·2%).Conclusions. These results indicate that the rate of GTS in autism exceeds that expected by chance, and the combined rate (6·5%) is similar to the rates found in the smaller-scale study. Methodological considerations and alternative explanations for an increased prevalence are discussed.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document