The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the emotional intelligence and an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children, and which other traits in children are associated with...Show moreThe aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the emotional intelligence and an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children, and which other traits in children are associated with that relation. These traits are age, gender and co morbid social-emotional developmental disorder. This study contains 203 participations in the age four till twelve year, with 51 participants diagnosed with an ASD. The parents filled out two questionnaires: the vragenlijst Emotionele Intelligentie Quotient and the Sociaal Emotionele Vragenlijst. The results of this study were that there is a strong relationship between emotional intelligence (and the three dimensions) and an ASD. Age and gender are not associated with that relationship. The results of the co morbid social emotional disorders is that these disorders are associated with the relationship, except for the dimension 'recognition of emotions'. Shortcomings with that dimension are only caused by ASD. The shortcomings with 'regulation of emotions' are caused by a combination of an ODD/CD and an anxiety- and mood disorders; the shortcomings of 'handle with emotions' are caused by a combination of an ASD and an anxiety- and mood disorders; and the shortcomings in the emotional intelligence are caused by the combination of an ASD, an ODD/CD and an anxiety- and mood disorders. This study also found that children with an ASD and an anxiety- or mood disorder have the largest shortcomings in the emotional intelligence and the three dimensions, which makes that a group that needs more attention with treatment.Show less
