Repetitive behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Associations with depression and anxiety symptoms

Abstract

Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experience depression and anxiety at higher rates than typically developing (TD) youth. The current study examined how restricted and repetitive behaviors or interests (RRBs) may be related to symptoms of depression and anxiety. Participants included 35 children with ASD (29 male, 6 female) between 3 and 14 years. Youth who met clinical cut-off for depression and anxiety demonstrated increased self-injurious behavior compared to peers with ASD who did not meet clinical cut-off. These findings might suggest that self-injurious behaviors may serve as behavioral indicators of heightened negative affect. This could have important implications for assessment of symptoms of anxiety and depression in this population, which is especially critical given that children with ASD often experience language delays and difficulties.