Skip to main content
Top
Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Child and Family Studies 2/2020

26-09-2019 | Original Paper

Parent Perspectives on the Presentation, Triggers, Impact, and Support of Anxiety in Young Children on the Autism Spectrum

Auteurs: Kate Simpson, Dawn Adams, Elizabeth Wheeley, Deb Keen

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Child and Family Studies | Uitgave 2/2020

Log in om toegang te krijgen
share
DELEN

Deel dit onderdeel of sectie (kopieer de link)

  • Optie A:
    Klik op de rechtermuisknop op de link en selecteer de optie “linkadres kopiëren”
  • Optie B:
    Deel de link per e-mail

Abstract

Objectives

A high proportion of children with autism experience elevated anxiety, which is evident from an early age. Although parents provide a significant role in recognising the early signs and triggers of their child’s anxiety and in prompting help-seeking, there are few studies using qualitative methods to document parent perspectives around their child’s anxiety. The aim of this study is to explore parent perspectives of their child’s anxiety across home and school.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents of 10 young children (5–8 years) with autism to explore their understanding of their child’s presentation and triggers of anxiety across different settings (home and school) as well as the strategies and supports used to manage the anxiety in the home and school setting. Thematic analysis of the data

Results

Parents reported signs of anxiety were evident in their child from a young age but recognising these signs and distinguishing anxiety from other behaviours was difficult. Triggers identified related to sensory experiences, academic expectations, social demands, and uncertainty, all of which were discussed in relation to the school context. Parents shared how supporting their child with autism is multifaceted and is related to understanding the individual child’s anxiety.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the heterogeneity of anxiety presentation in children with autism and the challenge in differentiating anxiety from other behaviours both in home and school settings.
Literatuur
go back to reference Bischof, N., Rapee, R. M., Hudry, K., & Bayer, J. (2018). Acceptability and caregiver‐reported outcomes for young children with autism spectrum disorder whose parents attended a preventative population‐based intervention for anxiety: a pilot study. Autism Research. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.1963.CrossRef Bischof, N., Rapee, R. M., Hudry, K., & Bayer, J. (2018). Acceptability and caregiver‐reported outcomes for young children with autism spectrum disorder whose parents attended a preventative population‐based intervention for anxiety: a pilot study. Autism Research. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1002/​aur.​1963.CrossRef
go back to reference Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2012). Thematic analysis. In H. Cooper (Ed.), The handbook of research methods in psychology (pp. 57–71). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2012). Thematic analysis. In H. Cooper (Ed.), The handbook of research methods in psychology (pp. 57–71). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
go back to reference Baio, J., Wiggins, L., Christensen, D. L., Maenner, M. J., Daniels, J., Warren, Z., & Durkin, M. S. (2018). Prevalence of autism spectrum disorders among children aged 8 years—autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network, 11 sites, United States, 2014. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Surveillance Summaries, 67, 1–23. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.ss6706a1.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Baio, J., Wiggins, L., Christensen, D. L., Maenner, M. J., Daniels, J., Warren, Z., & Durkin, M. S. (2018). Prevalence of autism spectrum disorders among children aged 8 years—autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network, 11 sites, United States, 2014. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Surveillance Summaries, 67, 1–23. https://​doi.​org/​10.​15585/​mmwr.​ss6706a1.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Einfeld, S. L., & Tonge, B. J. (1995). The developmental behavior checklist: the development and validation of an instrument to assess behavioral and emotional disturbance in children and adolescents with mental retardation. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 25, 81–104. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02178498.CrossRefPubMed Einfeld, S. L., & Tonge, B. J. (1995). The developmental behavior checklist: the development and validation of an instrument to assess behavioral and emotional disturbance in children and adolescents with mental retardation. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 25, 81–104. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1007/​BF02178498.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Fujii, C., Renno, P., McLeod, B. D., Lin, C. E., Decker, K., Zielinski, K., & Wood, J. J. (2013). Intensive cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders in school-aged children with autism: a preliminary comparison with treatment-as-usual. School Mental Health, 5, 25–37. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-012-9090-0.CrossRef Fujii, C., Renno, P., McLeod, B. D., Lin, C. E., Decker, K., Zielinski, K., & Wood, J. J. (2013). Intensive cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders in school-aged children with autism: a preliminary comparison with treatment-as-usual. School Mental Health, 5, 25–37. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1007/​s12310-012-9090-0.CrossRef
go back to reference MacQueen, K., McLellan-Lemal, M. E., Barthholow, K., & Milstein, B. (2008). Team-based codebook development: structure, process, and agreement. In G. Guest & K. M. MacQueen (Eds), Handbook for team-based qualitative research (pp. 119–135). New York, NY: Rowman Altamira. MacQueen, K., McLellan-Lemal, M. E., Barthholow, K., & Milstein, B. (2008). Team-based codebook development: structure, process, and agreement. In G. Guest & K. M. MacQueen (Eds), Handbook for team-based qualitative research (pp. 119–135). New York, NY: Rowman Altamira.
go back to reference QSR. (2015). NVivo for Mac Version 11 [Computer software]. Burlington, MA: QSR International. QSR. (2015). NVivo for Mac Version 11 [Computer software]. Burlington, MA: QSR International.
go back to reference Rodgers, J., Wigham, S., McConachie, H., Freeston, M. H., Honey, E., & Parr, J. R. (2016). Anxiety scale for children–autism spectrum disorder (ASC-ASD): guidelines for use. Newcastle, UK: Newcastle University. Rodgers, J., Wigham, S., McConachie, H., Freeston, M. H., Honey, E., & Parr, J. R. (2016). Anxiety scale for children–autism spectrum disorder (ASC-ASD): guidelines for use. Newcastle, UK: Newcastle University.
go back to reference Saggers, B., Klug, D., Harper-Hill, K., Costley, D., Clark, T., Bruck, S., & Carrington, S. (2016). Australian autism educational needs analysis–what are the needs of schools, parents and students on the autism spectrum?. Brisbane: Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism. Saggers, B., Klug, D., Harper-Hill, K., Costley, D., Clark, T., Bruck, S., & Carrington, S. (2016). Australian autism educational needs analysis–what are the needs of schools, parents and students on the autism spectrum?. Brisbane: Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism.
go back to reference Shephard, E., Bedford, R., Milosavlkevic, B., Gliga, T., Jones, E., Pickles, A., … BASIS Team (2018). Early developmental pathways to childhood symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.12947.CrossRef Shephard, E., Bedford, R., Milosavlkevic, B., Gliga, T., Jones, E., Pickles, A., … BASIS Team (2018). Early developmental pathways to childhood symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1111/​jcpp.​12947.CrossRef
go back to reference Stanger, C., & Lewis, M. (1993). Agreement among parents, teachers, and children on internalising and externalising behaviour problems. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 22, 107–115.CrossRef Stanger, C., & Lewis, M. (1993). Agreement among parents, teachers, and children on internalising and externalising behaviour problems. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 22, 107–115.CrossRef
go back to reference Wigham, S., Rodgers, J., South, M., McConachie, H., & Freeston, M. (2015). The interplay between sensory processing abnormalities, intolerance of uncertainty, anxiety and restricted and repetitive behaviours in autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45, 943–952. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2248-x.CrossRef Wigham, S., Rodgers, J., South, M., McConachie, H., & Freeston, M. (2015). The interplay between sensory processing abnormalities, intolerance of uncertainty, anxiety and restricted and repetitive behaviours in autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45, 943–952. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1007/​s10803-014-2248-x.CrossRef
go back to reference Wood, J. J., & Gadow, K. D. (2010). Exploring the nature and function of anxiety in youth with autism spectrum disorders. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 17, 281–292. Wood, J. J., & Gadow, K. D. (2010). Exploring the nature and function of anxiety in youth with autism spectrum disorders. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 17, 281–292.
Metagegevens
Titel
Parent Perspectives on the Presentation, Triggers, Impact, and Support of Anxiety in Young Children on the Autism Spectrum
Auteurs
Kate Simpson
Dawn Adams
Elizabeth Wheeley
Deb Keen
Publicatiedatum
26-09-2019
Uitgeverij
Springer US
Gepubliceerd in
Journal of Child and Family Studies / Uitgave 2/2020
Print ISSN: 1062-1024
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-2843
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-019-01576-5

Andere artikelen Uitgave 2/2020

Journal of Child and Family Studies 2/2020 Naar de uitgave