Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Mental Health on School Success in Autistic Children: Findings from the 2016–2021 National Survey of Children’s Health
- 31-05-2024
- Original Article
Gepubliceerd in:
- Auteurs
- Hélène A. Gussin
- Cheng-Shi Shiu
- Christianna Danguilan
- Iulia Mihaila
- Kruti Acharya
- Kristin L. Berg
- Gepubliceerd in
- Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders | Uitgave 8/2025
Abstract
Purpose
School is an important developmental setting for children. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked to overall lower educational attainment and are more prevalent in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) than in their neurotypical peers. The aim of this study is to test the association between ACEs and school outcomes among autistic children and whether mental health conditions explain this association.
Methods
We combined 2016–2021 data from the National Surveys of Children’s Health for children, ages 6–17, identified by parents as having ASD (N = 4,997), to examine the relationship between ACEs and school outcomes (grade progression, school attendance, and engagement). We analyzed depression and anxiety variables to investigate the extent to which mental health can explain the relationships between ACEs and school outcomes.
Results
ACEs were significantly associated with school outcomes. With increased ACEs, autistic children experienced a significant decrease in the odds of school attendance, grade progression and school engagement (p < .05). Furthermore, although depression and anxiety symptoms were significantly associated with school outcomes, they cannot explain away the enduring, strong relationship between ACEs and level of grade progression, engagement, and school success index.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest ACEs predict school success among autistic children, with mental health conditions appearing to mediate the relationship between ACEs and key factors in school success. Efforts should be made to proactively identify and address the impact of ACEs and associated mental health conditions among autistic students.
- Titel
- Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Mental Health on School Success in Autistic Children: Findings from the 2016–2021 National Survey of Children’s Health
- Auteurs
-
Hélène A. Gussin
Cheng-Shi Shiu
Christianna Danguilan
Iulia Mihaila
Kruti Acharya
Kristin L. Berg
- Publicatiedatum
- 31-05-2024
- Uitgeverij
- Springer US
- Gepubliceerd in
-
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders / Uitgave 8/2025
Print ISSN: 0162-3257
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-3432 - DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-024-06338-x
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