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Phenomenology of Comorbid Autism Spectrum and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders Among Children

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Abstract

The occurrence of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is common (37% prevalence or higher) and results in additional distress and impairment. The phenomenology of OCD in youth with ASD is under-researched to date. This study compared the clinical characteristics of youth with comorbid ASD and OCD (ASD + OCD) with age and gender matched controls with OCD in 70 youth (7–13 years old). Youth with both syndromes did not present with more severe OCD symptoms. Obsessive-compulsive symptom severity and total number of obsessions and compulsions between the ASD + OCD group and the OCD group did not differ statistically. However, group differences in reports of specific OCD symptoms as well as patterns of comorbidity were identified. Attention deficit/hyperactivity symptoms, social phobia, and separation anxiety disorder were more common among youth with ASD + OCD. Better understanding of OCD/ASD co-morbidity may facilitate treatment development.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Rothman Center for Neuropsychiatry, 800 6th Street South Box 7523, 4th Floor North, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701, USA

    Adam B. Lewin, Sarah Gunderson, Tanya K. Murphy & Eric A. Storch

  2. School of Education and Information Studies, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Jeffrey J. Wood

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  1. Adam B. Lewin
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  2. Jeffrey J. Wood
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  3. Sarah Gunderson
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  4. Tanya K. Murphy
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  5. Eric A. Storch
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Correspondence to Adam B. Lewin.

Additional information

Data from this project were supported by grants from NIMH to the second author R03MH075806 and a grant from NICHD to the last author (5R34HD065274-02). The contribution of Alex DeNadai is gratefully acknowledged.

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Lewin, A.B., Wood, J.J., Gunderson, S. et al. Phenomenology of Comorbid Autism Spectrum and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders Among Children. J Dev Phys Disabil 23, 543–553 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-011-9247-z

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