Adaptive functioning in children with an Autism Spectrum disorder with- and without comorbid disruptive disorders.

This study investigated the adaptive skills of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in comparison to normal developing children and to children with comorbid ADHD and ADHD/ODD-CD. The sample consisted of parents of children aged 4-12 years (Mage 8.58 years; SD = 2.26). In the study two questionnaires were used; the ‘Adaptieve Vragenlijst voor Jeugdigen’ (AVJ) to measure the general adaptive skills in children, and the Social Emotional Questionnaire (SEV) to measure disorder symptoms. Results showed lowe adaptive scores of children with ASD and/or comorbid ADHD or ODD-CD on the AVJ-subscales a. relation with peers, b. relation with parents, c. focus on school, work and future, and d. self-direction, when compared to normally developing children. Regardless of comorbidity, the skills that were the severest impaired in children with autism were related to competently and maintaining relationships with peers and recognizing emotions in peers. Competently maintaining...Show moreThis study investigated the adaptive skills of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in comparison to normal developing children and to children with comorbid ADHD and ADHD/ODD-CD. The sample consisted of parents of children aged 4-12 years (Mage 8.58 years; SD = 2.26). In the study two questionnaires were used; the ‘Adaptieve Vragenlijst voor Jeugdigen’ (AVJ) to measure the general adaptive skills in children, and the Social Emotional Questionnaire (SEV) to measure disorder symptoms. Results showed lowe adaptive scores of children with ASD and/or comorbid ADHD or ODD-CD on the AVJ-subscales a. relation with peers, b. relation with parents, c. focus on school, work and future, and d. self-direction, when compared to normally developing children. Regardless of comorbidity, the skills that were the severest impaired in children with autism were related to competently and maintaining relationships with peers and recognizing emotions in peers. Competently maintaining relationships with adults is the least impaired skill in children with autism, meaning they can flexibly handle contacts with parents, teachers and authorities. Age, gender and cultural background did not interact with these differences and similarities. In children with autism the adaptive skills accounted for respectively 44% of the explained variance of social functioning as measured with the SEV. This implicates that there are possible other factors associated to the disorder related adaptive behaviors of children with ASD. Further research should focus on intelligence as a contributing variable, for IQ seems to be a strong predictor of adaptive behavior. And as the grading of adaptive behavior is influenced by the expectations of the people who grade them, an implication would be that questionnaires should be completed by teachers as well as by parents.Show less

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Adaptive functioning in children with an Autism Spectrum disorder with- and without comorbid disruptive disorders.