Effects of symptoms of co-morbid psychopathology on challenging behaviours among infants and toddlers with Autistic Disorder and PDD-NOS as assessed with the Baby and Infant Screen for Children with aUtIsm Traits (BISCUIT).

DIAGNOSIS of autism; ANALYSIS of covariance; ANALYSIS of variance; ANXIETY; AUTISM; BEHAVIOR disorders in children; MULTIVARIATE analysis; PATHOLOGICAL psychology; STATISTICS; COMORBIDITY; INTER-observer reliability; SYMPTOMS; CHILDREN

Purpose: To examine whether level of symptoms of co-morbid psychopathology exacerbated challenging behaviours in young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Method: Using the Baby and Infant Screen for Children with aUtIsm Traits (BISCUIT)--Part 2 which measures co-morbid symptoms and the BISCUIT- Part 3 which examines challenging behaviours, 362 infants and toddlers with ASD were evaluated. Results: Findings showed that participants scoring high on symptoms of Avoidance and Tantrum/Conduct problems had greater rates of aggressive/destructive behaviours, self-injurious behaviours (SIB) and stereotypies compared to those with low scores. Participants with high levels of Inattention/Impulsivity or Eat/Sleep concerns, compared to those with low levels, demonstrated greater aggressive/destructive behaviour and stereotypies. For symptoms of Anxiety/Repetitive Behaviours, participants with high scores displayed greater levels of stereotypies. Conclusions: Symptoms of co-morbid psychopathology are present at a very early age for children with ASD and elevated levels of these symptoms may exacerbate challenging behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]