Anxiety Disorders in Children With Learning Disabilities (LD) and Autism (ASD)

Abstract

Purpose: Children and young people with learning disabilities (LD) and autism are more prone to experience mental health problems compared to people with LD but without autism. Children and young people with LD and autism may experience symptoms of anxiety at a greater level than the general population; howe ver, this is not supported with research evidence in relation to the prevalence of anxiety in people with ID and autism. The increasing number of individuals with Learning Disabilities (LD) and psychiatric disorders presents a key challenge to their assessment and treatment in mental health services. Children and young people with LD are more likely to experience mental health than the general population (FPLD, 2002; Emerson, 2003; Allington - Smith, 2006). Epidemiological studies suggest that autism is more frequent in people with LD, nearly 40% of people with LD also have autism (Bouras et al., 1999; Kraijer, 1997) on the other hand, nearly 70% of people with autism also have LD (La Mafa, 2004) The strong association between autism and LD (Bradley et al, 2004) also associates an increased risk of mental health problems (Morgan et al., 2003). Method: This article provides an overview of the clinical implications of anxiety disorders within the context of learning disability and autismFindings: It is suggested that children and young people with LD and autism spectrum disorder may experience symptoms of anxiety at a greater level than the general population; however, this requires more conclusive evidence in relation to the prevalence of anxiety disorders in people with LD and autism. There is a close relationship between autism spectrum disorder and learning disability. The presence of anxiety in individuals with LD and autism has rarely been studied and is the focus of this study.