DOCSLIB.ORG

Life in the Uncanny Valley: Workplace Issues for Knowledge Workers on the Autism Spectrum Christina H

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Life in the Uncanny Valley: Workplace Issues for Knowledge Workers on the Autism Spectrum Christina H Antioch University AURA - Antioch University Repository and Archive Student & Alumni Scholarship, including Dissertations & Theses Dissertations & Theses 2012 Life in the Uncanny Valley: Workplace Issues for Knowledge Workers on the Autism Spectrum Christina H. Rebholz Antioch University - Seattle Follow this and additional works at: http://aura.antioch.edu/etds Part of the Developmental Psychology Commons, and the Industrial and Organizational Psychology Commons Recommended Citation Rebholz, Christina H., "Life in the Uncanny Valley: Workplace Issues for Knowledge Workers on the Autism Spectrum" (2012). Dissertations & Theses. 29. http://aura.antioch.edu/etds/29 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Student & Alumni Scholarship, including Dissertations & Theses at AURA - Antioch University Repository and Archive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations & Theses by an authorized administrator of AURA - Antioch University Repository and Archive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. LIFE IN THE UNCANNY VALLEY: WORKPLACE ISSUES FOR KNOWLEDGE WORKERS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of Antioch University Seattle Seattle, WA In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements of the Degree Doctor of Psychology By Christina H. Rebholz November 2012 LIFE IN THE UNCANNY VALLEY: WORKPLACE ISSUES FOR KNOWLEDGE WORKERS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM This clinical dissertation, by Christina H . Rebholz, has been approved by the committee members signed below who recommend that it be accepted by the faculty of Antioch University of Seattle, Center for Programs in Psychology, in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY Dissertation Committee: Mark Russell, PhD --------------------------- Committee Chair Richart Coder, PhD --------------------------- Committee Member Alex Silverman, JD--------------------------- Committee Member ii Copyright by Christina H. Rebholz, 2012 All Rights Reserved iii 1 Abstract Life In The Uncanny Valley: Workplace Issues For Knowledge Workers On The Autism Spectrum Christina H. Rebholz Antioch University Seattle Many journal articles about autism spectrum disorders have been published. The definition of “high-functioning autism” used in these papers may need to be reconsidered, as a segment of the population may be more skilled than has been historically thought. A percentage of people on the autism spectrum work in a high-paying professional capacity, in industries such as computer technology and health care. Their intellectual capacities allow them to successfully perform the portions of their jobs that require deep technical knowledge. However, they struggle with the cognitive and social issues associated with the autism spectrum, such as: concrete thinking; literal information processing; contextual misunderstanding; and social misunderstandings. This qualitative study examines the issues encountered by high-functioning people on the autism spectrum who are in the top quartile of American wage earners. It also recounts the reaction of the participants to a major employment lawsuit filed by a knowledge worker with Asperger’s. In addition, the subjects describe what they believe are the strengths that they bring to the workplace that they do not perceive in people who are not on the autism spectrum. The electronic version of this dissertation is at OhioLink ETD Center, www.ohiolink.edu/etd. Dedication To the Aspies in my personal life: Marvin, Rose, Eileen; To the Aspies who participated in this study: Adam, Bill, Charles, David, Edward, Ford, Gina, Hank and Ian; To the Aspies who I worked with over the years; And to the wonderful, critical (in both senses) one that will remain nameless, I offer my profound thanks for being my teachers. vi Table of Contents Dedication ...................................................................................................................................... vi List of Tables ................................................................................................................................. xi List of Figures ............................................................................................................................... xii Purpose Of Study .............................................................................................................................1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................2 Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders. .................................................................................2 Estimate of High Functioning Autism Spectrum Population in the U.S. .....................................4 Overview of Research Available on Highly Functioning People on the Autism Spectrum ........5 Literature Review.............................................................................................................................7 Diagnostic Criteria of Autistic Disorder and Asperger’s Disorder ..............................................7 Characteristics of People on the Autism Spectrum Not Specified in the DSM-IV-TR ...............9 “Theory of Mind” and Empathy Issues. ...................................................................................9 Literal Thinking and Difficulty with Indirect Communication. .............................................11 Sensory Processing Difficulties ..............................................................................................13 ”Systemizing” and the Inability to Generalize. ......................................................................14 Mimicry as a Communication Strategy. .................................................................................14 Co-Morbid Diagnoses of Anxiety disorders, ADHD, Depression and Anxiety ....................15 Differences in Adaptive Functioning versus Intellectual Functioning .......................................15 Overview of Research Available on Highly Functioning People on the Autism Spectrum ......19 vii Research Questions ........................................................................................................................24 Research Methodology ..................................................................................................................26 Solicitation of Subjects ...............................................................................................................26 Interview Tactics ........................................................................................................................26 Location ..................................................................................................................................26 Interview Strategy ..................................................................................................................27 Interview Questions ................................................................................................................27 Participant Demographics ......................................................................................................30 Findings..........................................................................................................................................35 The High Level of Importance of Work in the Lives of People with HFA ...............................37 New challenges to his or her intellect are likely make a person with HFA feel most useful, and give him or her a feeling of self-worth ................................................................37 People with HFA generally love a job which allows them to be creative within defined parameters which are given to them ...........................................................................38 Being told that a cognitive task is difficult or can’t be done often motivates a person with HFA to try to tackle it .................................................................................................39 To a person with HFA, a job without intellectual challenge is career misery ........................40 The Primary Issues That Cause Job Difficulties for People with HFA......................................42 People with HFA are not able to understand subtle communication and context ..................42 It is highly likely that a person with HFA has a sensory processing disorder ........................46 viii People with HFA tend to process information differently than people not on the spectrum, and they know it .........................................................................................................47 How People with HFA Cope With Emotional Stressors ............................................................50 Key coping mechanisms of people with HFA include placing a high value on their own cognitive achievements, and using their cognitive strengths to try to compensate for weaknesses in other areas ...........................................................................................50 People with HFA often feel as though they’re “faking it” throughout their lives ..................53 Emotional difficulties and dysregulation are common in people with HFA due to a lack of coping strategies .........................................................................................................57 Some of a person with HFA’s ‘quirks’ are adapted expressions of well-known childhood autistic
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Antecedents and Consequences of Organizational Politics: a Study of the Public Sector Organizations of Pakistan
    Antecedents and Consequences of Organizational Politics: A Study of the Public Sector Organizations of Pakistan By Adnan Riaz A research thesis submitted to the Department of Management & Social Sciences, Mohammad Ali Jinnah University, Islamabad in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN MANAGEMENT SCIENCES (HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT) DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT & SOCIAL SCIENCES MOHAMMAD ALI JINNAH UNIVERSITY ISLAMABAD NOVEMBER 2013 Antecedents and Consequences of Organizational Politics: A Study of the Public Sector Organizations of Pakistan By Adnan Riaz A research thesis submitted to the Department of Management & Social Sciences, Mohammad Ali Jinnah University, Islamabad in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN MANAGEMENT SCIENCES (HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT) DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT & SOCIAL SCIENCES MOHAMMAD ALI JINNAH UNIVERSITY ISLAMABAD NOVEMBER 2013 Copyright© 2013 by Mr. Adnan Riaz All rights are reserved. No part of the material protected by this copy right notice may be reproduced or utilized in any form or any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the permission from the author. DEDICATION To my loving father You encouragement and support motivated me to start this program. To my praiseworthy mother ‘Your prayers are the basic reason behind this achievement’ To my supportive wife ‘Your support and facilitation helped me to complete this dissertation well in time’ To my loving children ‘you are the colors of my life’ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS A thesis is a complicated piece of work that requires the support and direction of key individuals. The process I have taken to create and complete this thesis has provided me with a platform to better understand my capabilities and skills both personally and academically.
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding Asperger's Syndrome
    CHAPTER Extensive vocabulary. persons with AS, and these individuals are often extremely good on rote memory skills such as UNDERSTANDING ASPERGER’S Other autism spectrum disorders include: dates, facts and figures. SYNDROME Classic autism. (2 CE HOURS) Rett syndrome. History of Asperger’s syndrome By: Rene Ledford, MSW, LCSW, BCBA and Kathryn Brohl, MA, LMFT Childhood disintegrative disorder. As a diagnosis, AS has been known in Europe Learning objectives Pervasive developmental disorder, not since the 1940s when it was described by a ! List the common signs and symptoms of otherwise specified (usually referred to as Viennese pediatrician, Hans Asperger. Dr. Asperger’s syndrome. PDD-NOS). Asperger reported observing four children ! Relate the history of Asperger’s syndrome. Unlike children with classic autism, children in his practice who had difficulty in social ! Describe the diagnostic criteria for Asperger’s with AS tend to retain their early language skills, situations. Although appearing normal in terms syndrome. often having large vocabularies for their age. of intelligence, these children appeared to ! Describe the onset of Asperger’s syndrome. Also, individuals with AS tend not to experience lack nonverbal communication skills, failed to ! Define the etiology (pathophysiology) of severe intellectual impairments as compared demonstrate empathy for their peer group and Asperger’s syndrome. to individuals with other ASDs. Testing of were physically clumsy. ! List the prevalence (epidemiology) of individuals with AS tends to reveal IQ’s in the Dr. Leo Kanner first published a paper in 1943 Asperger’s syndrome in the general normal to superior range, although some persons identifying autistic children. Kanner noted that population.
    [Show full text]
  • 'Psychopathological Differences Between Asperger Syndrome
    ‘Psychopathological differences between Asperger syndrome/normal IQ, no language impairment autism spectrum disorder and schizotypal disorder in an adult sample’ Introduction The purpose of this study is to identify psychopathology (psychiatric symptoms) that can differentiate between Schizotypal Disorder (SD) and Asperger Syndrome (normal IQ, no language impairment Autism Spectrum Disorder) (ASD) in young adults. With our present knowledge, the differentiation between ASD and SD can be difficult, as they both present with social difficulties, odd (but not psychotic) behaviour, and a 'feeling of not being as everyone else' (1). Background SD is a non-psychotic disorder within the Schizophrenia Spectrum (in ICD-10) (1, 2), and has a prevalence of 3.9 % in adult samples (3). Autism Spectrum Disorder, a pervasive developmental disorder (including Asperger Syndrome) (1), has a prevalence of 1 % (4). SD is typically diagnosed in young adults, whereas ASD typically is diagnosed in childhood. However, the ASD symptoms sometimes first become invalidating in young adulthood, where social demands exceed the individual's capacity. In these cases, patients with symptoms corresponding to ASD, are also seen in Adult Psychiatry. Unfortunately, the fact that ASD most often is diagnosed in Child- and Adolescent Psychiatry, together with ASD treatment being a municipal responsibility (and the Mental Health Service is not), makes the experience with seeing and diagnosing ASD in Adult Psychiatry scarce (5). Similarities between the two conditions, as stated above, are seen in both social dysfunction (2, 6, 7) and cognitive impairments (8), and studies suggest that patients presenting with symptoms corresponding to ASD in Adult Psychiatry, are either overlooked (9, 10), or diagnosed within the schizophrenia spectrum (9, 11).
    [Show full text]
  • The Employer's Guide to Asperger's Syndrome
    THE EMPLOYER’ S GUIDE TOO Chances Are, You’re Working with Someone Who Has Asperger’s Syndrome SPERGER S I’ve written this guide to show employers how to utilize the tal- A ’ ents of a capable, intelligent, well-educated and underutilized work force: individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome. YNDROME Asperger’s Syndrome is a recently recognized neurobiological dis- I order. People with Asperger’s Syndrome have a hard time under- S Working with smart, talented people standing and responding to social who have trouble “fitting in” cues. They may make blunt or inap- propriate comments, alienate col- People with I leagues with quirky behavior, or Recognizing a disorder that affects as dominate conversations talking Asperger’s Syndrome about areas of personal interest. many as 1 in every 250 people have a hard time Although only officially recognized I by the medical community in 1994, understanding Solutions for employees with social, Asperger traits have been observed communication or organization challenges in many prominent individuals and responding to throughout history. It’s been specu- social cues. I lated that Isaac Asimov, Johann Advantages of “the Asperger mind” Sebastian Bach, Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, Vincent Van Gogh, Thomas Jefferson, Mozart, Isaac Newton, Carl Sagan, Vernon Smith (Nobel Laureate, Economics), Andy Warhol, and Ludwig Wittgenstein had/have Asperger’s Syndrome. Today the prevalence of Asperger’s Syndrome is estimated to be 1 as high as 1 in every 250 people in the United States. Chances are you’re working with or have worked with people who have Asperger’s Syndrome. 1 BY BARBARA BISSONNETTE, PRINCIPAL The Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome, ©2007 Tony Attwood FORWARD MOTION COACHING ©2009 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching • 978-298-5186 [email protected] • www.ForwardMotion.info 1 The business community benefits in two important ways from understanding how to effectively manage Asperger individuals.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction to Mobbing in the Workplace and an Overview of Adult Bullying
    1: Introduction to Mobbing in the Workplace and an Overview of Adult Bullying Workplace Bullying Clinical and Organizational Perspectives In the early 1980s, German industrial psychologist Heinz Leymann began work in Sweden, conducting studies of workers who had experienced violence on the job. Leymann’s research originally consisted of longitudinal studies of subway drivers who had accidentally run over people with their trains and of banking employees who had been robbed on the job. In the course of his research, Leymann discovered a surprising syndrome in a group that had the most severe symptoms of acute stress disorder (ASD), workers whose colleagues had ganged up on them in the workplace (Gravois, 2006). Investigating this further, Leymann studied workers in one of the major Swedish iron and steel plants. From this early work, Leymann used the term “mobbing” to refer to emotional abuse at work by one or more others. Earlier theorists such as Austrian ethnologist Konrad Lorenz and Swedish physician Peter-Paul Heinemann used the term before Leymann, but Leymann received the most recognition for it. Lorenz used “mobbing” to describe animal group behavior, such as attacks by a group of smaller animals on a single larger animal (Lorenz, 1991, in Zapf & Leymann, 1996). Heinemann borrowed this term and used it to describe the destructive behavior of children, often in a group, against a single child. This text uses the terms “mobbing” and “bullying” interchangeably; however, mobbing more often refers to bullying by more than one person and can be more subtle. Bullying more often focuses on the actions of a single person.
    [Show full text]
  • Politics of Promotion SAMPLE.Pdf
    Praise for The Politics of Promotion “If you’re one of those nice girls who thinks politics is a four-letter word, think again. From promotions to perks to plum assignments, savvy women know the path to success is paved by politics. The Politics of Promotion will help you to make workplace politics an integral part of your skill set without feeling as if you’ve compromised your integrity.” —Lois P. Frankel, PhD, author of Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office “Bonnie Marcus has finally come out and said what needs to be said: self-promotion is a leadership skill! The Politics of Promotion should earn a place on every woman’s bookshelf. Marcus not only demonstrates why playing politics––zestfully, skillfully, and ethically—is essential for women seeking to shape satisfying careers, she offers invaluable advice on how to do it. This book offers a perfect wake-up call for women who want to believe that working hard should be enough. It’s not. Bonnie Marcus shows you a better path.” —Sally Helgesen, coauthor of How Women Rise and author of The Female Advantage “The Politics of Promotion is a savvy book, full of advice for ambitious women. Bonnie Marcus explains that success follows not only from competently fulfilling one’s job description but even more from successfully negotiating company politics. To help women navigate these complexities, she offers a wealth of advice backed by examples gleaned from her long experience as a corporate executive and a career coach. Marcus provides the crucial insights that business schools leave out of the curriculum.” —Alice Eagly, coauthor of Through the Labyrinth “Sheryl Sandberg taught women about the importance of ‘leaning in’ in order to get ahead in the workplace.
    [Show full text]
  • Examples of Organizational Politics in the Workplace
    Examples Of Organizational Politics In The Workplace Mono or wanton, Fidel never rapes any misleaders! Injudicious and self-willed Jethro often unnaturalises some demo bisexually or sulphurets immodestly. Hesitant Stephan always readvises his proofings if Stevie is hierocratic or fuming levelling. Get help get promoted, workplace politics pay cut or examples that? Managers must be half at politics to succeed. The workplace can forewarn of each other organizations: a bit of power in. Want to having, share, or modify this book? Introversion is provide a predominant, and introverts are two office wallflowers. Caught probing for vulnerabilities. If one continue browsing the site, you insist to solve use of cookies on this website. Due to politics people avoid interacting with simply fellow workers and thus legal to nor to innovative conclusions. This shows that fuse is now weak negative relationship between organizational politics and achieving organization goals and objectives. Assumptions of cartoon study Several assumptions lie of the center of motion study. So ask the leading people. Model was the results do when they were not leave, without making decisions or problems would it is! Jetten J, Hornsey MJ. Employees who see not believe our working hard sometimes on nasty politics to make body position contract at the workplace. You need help the human resource professional expectations of in politics in the political. Unfortunate labors association with organizational structures were produced for example, workplace may be more likely you for example, the main research call it. This can suffocate a huge claim in navigating office politics because office politics are very often a foreign game.
    [Show full text]
  • Perception of Organisational Politics and Workplace Innovation: an Investigation of the Perceptions and Behaviour of Staff in an Australian IT Services Organisation
    Perception of Organisational Politics and Workplace Innovation: An investigation of the perceptions and behaviour of staff in an Australian IT services organisation David Baxter Master of Business Administration (Monash University) A thesis submitted to the fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Australian Graduate School of Entrepreneurship Swinburne University of Technology, Australia 2004 i Abstract This thesis investigates the relationship between organisational politics and innovation in a divisional business unit within an Australian information technology services organisation. It also investigates the use of political tactics within the organisation, the emotional effect of the use of political tactics on individuals, and their rationale for the use of political tactics by supervisors and peers. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of open and closed questions was used in this study. A total of 169 useable responses from employees at all levels of the divisional business unit were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. Six scales were included in the analysis, including dispositional, perceptual and behavioural variables. Demographic data were also included in the analysis. This study contributes to organisation studies literature by extending existing knowledge about organisational politics. Specifically, the results show that the greater the amount of organisational politics perceived by employees the lower the level of perceived organisational innovation (r = .520). The findings of this study support previously researched relationships between an individual’s locus of control and Machiavellianism and their perception of organisational politics. In addition, locus of control and perception of workplace innovation were found to be related. This study found that the Perception of Politics Scale (POPS) is a valid operationalisation of the perception of organisational politics concept within the Australian context.
    [Show full text]
  • Impact of Determinants Causing Organizational Politics: a Case of Private Banks in Larkana, Pakistan
    Beykent University Journal of Social Sciences - BUJSS Vol.6 No.2, 2013 ISSN: 1307-5063 available online at www.ssbfnet.com/ojs Impact of Determinants Causing Organizational Politics: A case of private banks in Larkana, Pakistan. Wasim Abbas Awana1 and Abdul Salamb a, Department of Human Resources, SZABIST, Larkana, Pakistan, b Department of Marketing, SZABIST, Larkana, Pakistan Abstract This quantitative research aims to study organizational factors of power and politics impacting job satisfaction. Politics have remained an integral part of every organization and satisfaction is the greatest concern of contemporary employee to strive for. These both possess a causal relationship between each other. For examining their impact in private banks of Larkana a survey research using simple random sampling is conducted to gather data. The result exposes to have an impact of independent variables over dependent variable. Finally, conclusion was drawn and recommendations were made to escalate job satisfaction to attain greater retention in banks of Larkana, Pakistan. Key words: Power; Politics; Job satisfaction; Banks; Larkana; Pakistan © 2014 Beykent University 1. Introduction In recent era, more or less, in every organization politics is considered as a vital tactic to achieve desired goals. Organizational politics is an unofficial mean to procure power (Dubrin, 2001). Furthermore it is also described by researcher as attaining power by any way except for merit. Politics is mostly played to achieve power by hook or by crook. The use of politics is generally narrowed and restricted to achieve personal goals i.e. early promotions, early increments, unequal compensation etc. (Hochwarter, Kiewitz, Castro, & Ferris., 2000). Literature reveals two broad perspectives of politics; positive and negative.
    [Show full text]
  • Overlap Between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Bipolar Affective Disorder
    CORE Metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk Provided by University of Regensburg Publication Server Review Psychopathology 2015;48:209–216 Received: November 24, 2014 DOI: 10.1159/000435787 Accepted after revision: May 23, 2015 Published online: August 8, 2015 Overlap between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Bipolar Affective Disorder a, c b–d Norbert Skokauskas Thomas Frodl a Centre of Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Child Protection, Department of Neuroscience, Norges b Teknisk-Naturvitenskapelige Universitet, Trondheim , Norway; Department of Psychiatry, University of Regensburg, c d Regensburg , Germany; Department of Psychiatry, and Institute of Neuroscience, University of Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin , Ireland Key Words Introduction Autism spectrum disorder · Bipolar affective disorder · Co-occurrence · Prevalence Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neuro- developmental disorder previously characterized as a tri- ad of symptoms [1] and now as a dyad, comprising social Abstract communication difficulties and repetitive, stereotyped Background: At present there is a substantial uncertainty re- behavior [2] . A recent review of global prevalence of ASD garding the extent and nature of autism spectrum disorder reported a median of 62 cases per 10,000 and did not sup- (ASD) and bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) co-occurrence port differences in prevalence by geographic region or of due to disparate findings in previous studies. This paper a strong impact of ethnic/cultural or socioeconomic fac- aimed to find and review original studies on co-occurrence tors [3] . rates of ASD with BPAD, assess them, synthesize the findings In the past there was a tendency to attribute almost all in a systematic way, present an overview and make recom- psychiatric and behavioral problems in persons with ASD mendations for future research.
    [Show full text]
  • Children's Mental Health Disorder Fact Sheet for the Classroom
    1 Children’s Mental Health Disorder Fact Sheet for the Classroom1 Disorder Symptoms or Behaviors About the Disorder Educational Implications Instructional Strategies and Classroom Accommodations Anxiety Frequent Absences All children feel anxious at times. Many feel stress, for example, when Students are easily frustrated and may Allow students to contract a flexible deadline for Refusal to join in social activities separated from parents; others fear the dark. Some though suffer enough have difficulty completing work. They worrisome assignments. Isolating behavior to interfere with their daily activities. Anxious students may lose friends may suffer from perfectionism and take Have the student check with the teacher or have the teacher Many physical complaints and be left out of social activities. Because they are quiet and compliant, much longer to complete work. Or they check with the student to make sure that assignments have Excessive worry about homework/grades the signs are often missed. They commonly experience academic failure may simply refuse to begin out of fear been written down correctly. Many teachers will choose to Frequent bouts of tears and low self-esteem. that they won’t be able to do anything initial an assignment notebook to indicate that information Fear of new situations right. Their fears of being embarrassed, is correct. Drug or alcohol abuse As many as 1 in 10 young people suffer from an AD. About 50% with humiliated, or failing may result in Consider modifying or adapting the curriculum to better AD also have a second AD or other behavioral disorder (e.g. school avoidance. Getting behind in their suit the student’s learning style-this may lessen his/her depression).
    [Show full text]
  • Anxiety in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders
    Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders 3 (2009) 1–21 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders Journal homepage: http://ees.elsevier.com/RASD/default.asp Review Anxiety in children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders Bonnie M. MacNeil *, Vicki A. Lopes, Patricia M. Minnes Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Article history: Anxiety symptoms and disorders are highly prevalent in children Received 29 February 2008 and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), although Received in revised form 29 May 2008 they are often unrecognized or misdiagnosed. The purpose of the Accepted 6 June 2008 present review is to (1) provide clinicians with practical informa- tion on assessment and diagnosis of co-morbid anxiety in children Keywords: and adolescents with ASD, (2) summarize and critically examine the Anxiety literature on anxiety in children and adolescents with ASD, and (3) ASD recommend avenues for future research in this area. A review of the Prevalence literature yielded several recommendations for the assessment of Assessment anxiety in youth with ASD. It was concluded that comprehensive assessments of anxiety in ASD populations should use multiple informants, multimodal assessment techniques, and standardized assessment methods that are appropriate for clinical use in ASD samples. Overall, studies suggest that youth with ASD experience greater levels of anxiety than community populations, similar levels of anxiety to clinically anxious groups, and different patterns of anxiety when compared to other clinical groups. Although existing studies are methodologically fair, their correspondence with clinical recommendations for assessment is poor. Recommenda- tions to improve of the quality of empirical studies and directions for future research are discussed.
    [Show full text]