Maladaptive Behavior In Children Research Articles

The correlations on psychopathology in children self-rating, psychopathology in children as related by their parents and psychopathology in parents self-rating in a Kenyan school setting: towards an inclusive family-centered approach

Several studies have reported on the association between parental and childhood psychopathologies. Despite this, little is known about the psychopathologies between parents and children in a non-clinical population. We present such a study, the first in a Kenyan setting in an attempt to fill this gap. The objective of this study was to determine the association between self-rating psychopathology in children, parent-rating psychopathology in their children and self-rating psychopathology in parents in a non-clinical population of children attending schools in Kenya. We identified 113 participants, comprising children and their parents in 10 randomly sampled primary schools in South East Kenya. The children completed the Youth Self-Report (YSR) scale and parents completed the Child Behavior Check List (CBCL) on their children and the Adult Self-Reports (ASR) on themselves. These instruments are part of the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA), developed in the USA for a comprehensive approach to assessing adaptation and maladaptive behavior in children and adolescents. There was back and forth translation of the instruments from English to Swahili and the local dialect, Kamba. Every revision of the English translation was sent to the instrument author who sent back comments until the revised version was in sync with the version developed by the author. We used the ASEBA in-built algorithm for scoring to determine cut-off points for problematic and non-problematic behavior. Correlations, linear regression and independent sample t-test were used to explore these associations. The mean age of the children was 12.7. While there was no significant association between child problems as measured by YSR (self-reported) and parent problems as measured by ASR and CBCL in the overall correlations, there was a significant association when examining specific groups (clinical range vs. non-clinical). Moreover, significant association existed between total problems on YSR and ASR internalizing problems (t=-2.3,p = 0.023), with clinical range having a higher mean than the normal range. In addition, a significant relationship (p < 0.05) was found between psychopathology in children as reported by both parents (CBCL) and psychopathology in parents as self-reported (ASR).Mothers were more likely to report lower syndrome scores of their children as compared to fathers. Our findings indicate discrepancies between children self-rating and parent ratings, suggesting that one cannot manage psychopathology in children without reference to psychopathology in their parents. We suggest broad-based psycho-education to include children and parents to enhance shared awareness of psychopathology and uptake of treatment.

Implementation of Behavior Modification Techniques for Children with Low Social Skills (A Case Study at the Social Protection Service Unit for Children in Garut, West Java)

This research focuses on the application of behavior modification techniques in various specific behaviors agreed upon, aiming to influence the levels of social skills. The research method employed is the Single Subject Design approach. The respondents of this study are children with low social skills receiving services at SATPEL PSA. Instruments used to measure baseline A1, treatment (B1), and baseline A2 are based on the results of behavior assessments, identifying 9 behaviors with 36 specific behaviors. The implementation of behavior modification techniques aims to reduce maladaptive behaviors in children, utilizing motivation techniques, positive reinforcement, modeling, counseling, and self-help groups. The research results indicate that two children, SS and MK, showed increased measurements in cognitive, behavioral, and emotional aspects during baseline and intervention. The highest results were recorded in the behavioral aspect, while the cognitive aspect showed a comparatively lower improvement.

Maternal Parenting Styles and Middle Childhood Temperament Patterns: A Comparison Between Two Social Classes Residing in an Urban Community

Background: Parenting refers to the usual approaches that parents use in child rearing and is one of the many aspects that play a role in the development of both adaptive and maladaptive behavior in children and adolescents. Parenting styles may be authoritarian, authoritative, or permissive. Temperament refers to the stylistic aspect of behavior and individual differences in behavioral characteristics. This study aimed to compare maternal parenting styles and childhood temperamental patterns between two socioeconomic classes. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Sixty mothers from middle and lower socioeconomic status residing in an urban community in Hyderabad were chosen for the study. Data was collected from January to February 2020. Every participant was a mother of two children in the age group 6–12 years. A semi-structured intake proforma was used, along with the Temperament Measurement Schedule and Parental Styles Questionnaire. Factorial ANOVA was used to explore the differences among the different groups. Results: In 76% of the participants, the predominant parenting style was found to be authoritative. Statistically significant differences in parenting styles were seen between the middle and low socioeconomic status groups. Parenting styles differed with the gender of the child. The education of the mother influenced the parenting style. Illiterate participants and participants who did not have at least tenth-grade education had an authoritarian parenting style. Second-born children scored high on the sociability factor compared to firstborn children. The difference between first- and second-born children was statistically significant. Socioeconomic status and the gender of the child had a statistically significant association. Conclusions: Parenting is a complex phenomenon that is influenced by many factors, social class being one such factor.

Corporal Punishment as an Educational Practice for Burundian Children's Maladaptive Behavior: The Assessment of the Disposition of Children Education Stakeholders

Our study aims to investigate the factors that produce and sustain the use of corporal punishment in education in Burundi. To collect data, we used a life story approach with semi-structured interviews and direct and indirect observation of educational actors. Analysis of the empirical corpus of 50 educational actors enabled us to highlight the social and educational experiences of our interviewees drawn from their childhood. Religious beliefs, the personality of the educators and psychic tensions linked to the general context are the main reasons for the use of corporal punishment. The majority of our interviewees, including teachers, support the use of corporal punishment, provided it does not exceed certain limits. Sensitivity to the effects of corporal punishment on children is generally low. It changes and rises to physical and economic effects, which arise when corporal punishment results in serious bodily harm, requiring prolonged hospitalization of the victim. For our respondents, not punishing children would be synonymous with cowardice, a violation of biblical scripture, with a high risk of exposing children to more dangerous consequences. Finally, to prevent and reduce the early onset of maladaptive behavior in children, the introduction of positive parenting programs is indispensable in Burundian education.

Risk Assessment of Maladaptive Behaviors in Adolescents: Nutrition, Screen Time, Prenatal Exposure, Childhood Adversities - Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study

PurposeWe aimed to identify significant contributing factors to the risk of maladaptive behaviors, such as alcohol use disorder or obesity, in children. To achieve this, we utilized the extensive adolescent brain cognitive development data set, which encompasses a wide range of environmental, social, and nutritional factors. MethodsWe divided our sample into equal sets (test, validation; n = 3,415 each). On exploratory factor analysis, six factor domains were identified as most significant (fat/sugar intake, screen time, and prenatal alcohol exposure, parental aggressiveness, hyperactivity, family violence, parental education, and family income) and used to stratify the children into low- (n = 975), medium- (n = 967), high- (n = 977) risk groups. Regression models were used to analyze the relationship between identified risk groups, and differences in reward sensitivity, and behavioral problems at 2-year follow-up. ResultsThe functional magnetic resonance imaging analyses showed reduced activation in several brain regions during reward or loss anticipation in high/medium-risk (vs. low-risk) children on a monetary incentive delay task. High-risk children exhibited heightened middle frontal cortex activity when receiving large rewards. They also displayed increased impulsive and motivated reward-seeking behaviors, along with behavioral problems. These findings replicated in our validation set, and a negative correlation between middle frontal cortexthickness and impulsivity behavior was observed in high-risk children. DiscussionOur findings show altered reward function and increased impulsiveness in high-risk adolescents. This study has implications for early risk identification and the development of prevention strategies for maladaptive behaviors in children, particularly those at high risk.

Play and dance therapy: a review of theories, techniques and didactic methodologies for the motor recovery of children with disabilities

Background: This research is aimed at analysing the effectiveness of play activities and dance-therapy programmes in improving the psycho-physical condition and increasing the well-being of individuals with disabilities. Methods: Online search engines (e.g., EBSCOhost, PubMed, the American Journal of Dance) were consulted using parameters such as "physical disabilities" or "dance with music" or "childhood" and excluding protocols published before 2010. Eleven intervention protocols were analysed. These concerned play and dance-therapy courses targeted at disabled subjects under 14 years of age. Results: It was found that at the end of the play sessions, higher muscular activation and improvement of quality of communication exchanges with the family members was found. With regard to the dance-therapy protocols, improvement was reported in general coordination, balance ability and a decrease in maladaptive behaviour in children with disabilities. Conclusions: With the improvement in physical performance, an increase in the subjects' state of well-being is also noted, underlining a strong body-mind connection. For future studies, it is recommended that the number of participants in individual studies should be larger and to include a control group to make the results generalisable on a large scale.

Effect of Gluten Free Casein Free Diet on Maladaptive Behavior in Autistic Children: Meta-Analysis

Background: Children with Autism tend to experience gastrointestinal disorders more often. Interactions between the gut and brain microbiome influence mood and behavior in health and disease. Diet therapy, specifically the gluten and case-free diet (GFCF) is an elimination diet that involves removing certain proteins from the normal diet, such as gluten and casein. The right intervention can change behavior for the better and through the right handling. This study aims to estimate the effect of a case-free gluten-free diet on maladaptive behavior in autistic children, through a meta-analysis of primary studies conducted by previous authors. Subjects and Method: This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis with the following PICO, population: Autism children, intervention: gluten-free case-free diet, comparison: no case-free gluten-free diet, outcome: maladaptive behavior. The articles used in this study were obtained from three databases, namely PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct, using the search key “Diet Gluten Free Casein Free” OR “NonDiet Gluten Free Casein Free” OR “GFCF” AND “Autism” OR “Autism” AND “Maladaptive” AND “Randomize Controlled Trial” OR “RCT”. The included article is a full-text Randomized Controlled Trial study designed from 2002 to 2022 and reports the mean and SD in multivariate analysis. The selection of articles is done using PRISMA flow diagrams. Articles were analyzed using the Review Manager 5.4 application. Results: A total of 7 randomized controlled trial studies conducted in the Americas, Europe, and Asia were selected for meta-analysis. Autistic children who received casein-free gluten-free had an average score of 0.11 units of maladaptive behavior lower than those who were not given a diet (SMD= 0.11 95% CI= .035 to 0.13; p= 0.360). Conclusion: The casein-free gluten-free diet has an effect on reducing the risk of maladaptive behavior in children with autism. Keywords: casein free gluten-free diet, gfcf, maladaptive behavior, autism Correspondence: Ruliany Yuni Nurul Hakim. Masters Program in Public Health, Universitas Sebelas Maret. Jl. Ir. Sutami 36A Surakarta 57126, Central Java, Indonesia. Email: Ruliany27@gmail.com. Ponsel +6282124886320. Indonesian Journal of Medicine (2023), 08(03): 286294

Child-Centered Play Therapy and Adverse Childhood Experiences: A Single-Case Research Design

ABSTRACT Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been shown to have long-term negative health impacts for adults and an increase in maladaptive behaviors in children exposed to ACEs. There are limited studies that explore effective interventions to support children exposed to ACEs. Child-centered play therapy (CCPT) could be an appropriate intervention to assist children exposed to ACEs but needs more research. This study utilized an A-B-A single case research design with five participants. Participants completed 16 30-min CCPT sessions through the course of the study. Participants showed a decrease in externalized behaviors throughout the study that carried over after the intervention stopped. This study provides evidence that CCPT could be an effective intervention for counselors to utilize with children exposed to ACEs.

Maladaptive behaviors in children with autism and parental hopelessness: The moderating role of parental reflective functioning.

Hopelessness in parents has implications for parents' own well-being as well as their ability to meet the needs of their children. In the present study, we examined the effect of maladaptive behaviors in children with autism on parental hopelessness, with particular attention to whether parental reflective functioning would moderate the effect of maladaptive behaviors on parental hopelessness. Our sample included 68 parents of children with autism between the ages of 3 and 18. Findings revealed a significant positive relationship between maladaptive behaviors in the children and hopelessness in the parents. Moreover, parental reflective functioning moderated the effect of child maladaptive behaviors on parental hopelessness, such that children's maladaptive behaviors were positively associated with parental hopelessness in parents with low (but not high) reflective functioning. Findings suggest parental reflective functioning may be a protective factor against parental hopelessness, and thus a possible target for interventions for hopelessness in parents whose children with autism exhibit greater maladaptive behaviors.

Sleep Problems and 6-Sulfatoxymelatonin as Possible Predictors of Symptom Severity, Adaptive and Maladaptive Behavior in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

In children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), sleep disturbances are a frequent comorbidity with an adverse effect on their behavior and functioning. It was suggested that melatonin deficit is at least partly responsible for the sleep problems. The study aimed to investigate, in a sample of 56 children with ASD aged 2.8–13.3 years, if the sleep problems and melatonin secretion can serve as predictors of adaptive functioning and severity of the ASD core symptoms. We demonstrated that, after adjustment for age, the Sleep score assessed by the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire predicts the Adaptive behavior composite score only in children younger than 6 years, and the preferred predictive model is for the domain Socialization. The age-adjusted Sleep score predicted Externalizing and Internalizing maladaptive behavior, with a near-zero contribution of age to the relationship between the Internalizing maladaptive behavior and Sleep score. After adjustment for age, the reduced night-time melatonin secretion predicted a higher severity of ASD symptoms in the domain Social affect and the Calibrated Severity Score, but not the sleep problems. Our results emphasize the importance of assessing sleep problems as a modifiable predictor of behavior in children with ASD and support the hypothesis about the role of melatonin in pathophysiology of ASD.

Gender characteristics of maladaptive behavior in children of primary school age with prenatal exposure to ethanol

Gender characteristics of maladaptive behavior in children of primary school age with prenatal exposure to ethanol

Results of Maladaptive Behavior Gender Characteristics Diagnostics in Primary School Children with Disabilities (Pilot Study)

IntroductionThe maladaptive children behavior analysis is important for determining effective methods of prevention and care.ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to identify general and gender-specific features of maladaptive behavior in children of primary school age with disabilities.MethodsThe sample included 77 children 8.6±1.03 years of age, among them 57 boys and 20 girls. Maladaptive children behavior was assessed using VABS. The statistical significance of the differences between variables was determined by Pearson`s Chi-squared test. Indicators of maladaptive behavior were assessed by calculation of frequency distribution and contingency tables.ResultsMaladaptive behavior features common for both genders included impulsivity, physical aggression, taunting, teasing and bullying, insensitivity to others, having poor eye contact. Having a hard time paying attention was statistically significantly more common among boys (p≤0.05). Boys were more likely to disobey and defy those in authority, to lie, cheat or steal. A specific feature of maladaptive behavior for girls was having eating difficulties and overly dependent behavior on caregivers or siblings. Comparative analysis of the additional VABS section results showed that obsession with thoughts or activities predominated among boys, as well as expression of thoughts that do not make sense. The following indicators were found only in boys: strange habits or ways (makes repetitive noises, odd hand movements, etc.) (14%), bizarre speech (conversations with self in public, repeating the same word or phrase, etc.) (7%).ConclusionsDescribed signs of children’s maladjustment can be used for the purposes of diagnostics, prevention and care.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Atypical sensory processing features in children with autism, and their relationships with maladaptive behaviors and caregiver strain.

Atypical sensory processing occurs in up to 97% of children on the autism spectrum. Children who are on the autism spectrum also commonly demonstrate challenging behaviors, and their caregivers report increased levels of strain in daily life. The aim of this study was to explore four sensory processing features; seeking, avoiding, sensitivity, and registration, and their relationships with maladaptive behaviors in children with autism, as well as with caregiver strain. Participants comprised 75 children with autism aged 7–12 years (M = 7.81). Caregivers completed three questionnaire measures examining child sensory processing, maladaptive behaviors, and perceptions of caregiver strain. We found avoiding significantly associated with irritability. Avoiding also displayed the strongest relationship with global caregiver strain. Avoiding and seeking were strongly related to hyperactivity/noncompliance (components of maladaptive behavior). A multiple regression was performed to explore how atypical sensory processing features and maladaptive behaviors together predicted caregiver strain. Together, maladaptive behaviors and sensory features accounted for 58% of the variance in total caregiver strain. The only significant individual predictor of total caregiver strain was sensory avoiding, which uniquely accounted for 5.76% of the variation. The findings suggest that atypical sensory processing is associated with overall caregiver strain, above that explained by maladaptive behaviors. Implications for targeted support for the benefit of the child, parents and family unit are discussed.Lay summaryChildren who are on the autism spectrum often have differences in sensory processing. These children also tend to show challenging behaviors, and their caregivers can experience increased stress. This study looked at how sensory processing difficulties relate to such behaviors and caregiver stress. We found that both sensory processing and challenging behaviors were related to the amount of stress caregivers felt. This suggests that interventions may benefit from looking at sensory processing features when considering how to help reduce challenging behaviors and caregiver stress.

Relationship Between Parent and Teacher Reported Executive Functioning and Maladaptive Behaviors in Children With Down Syndrome.

The current study evaluates the concurrent relationship between parent ratings of executive functioning and maladaptive behavior among children and adolescents with Down syndrome and then repeats this evaluation using teacher reports. Parents and teachers of 63 school-age children with Down syndrome rated the child's executive functioning (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function) and behaviors (Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist). For parent and teacher ratings, elevated behavior dysregulation predicted higher levels of rule-breaking, aggressive, and externalizing behavior. For teacher ratings, elevated behavior dysregulation also predicted higher levels of inattention problems. Among both parent and teacher ratings, greater metacognitive difficulties predicted challenges with attention. Understanding the relationship between these constructs has important implications for targets of intervention and developing preventative strategies.

The quality of life of children with neurodevelopmental disorders and their parents during the Coronavirus disease 19 emergency in Japan

This study aimed to reveal how the COVID-19 stay-at-home period has affected the quality of life (QOL) of children with neurodevelopmental disorders and their parents and to identify possible factors that enabled them to maintain their QOL. We enrolled 136 school-aged children (intellectual quotient ≥ 50) and their parents and administered QOL questionnaires to assess the maladaptive behavior of the children; depression, anxiety, and stress of the parents; and activities of their daily lives. The relationship between their QOL and clinical features was examined. The decrease in QOL of children and parents was associated with the mother’s limited job flexibility. Decreased QOL was also associated with changes in the sleep rhythms of the children. Maladaptive behaviors in children were associated with parental stress. However, maintained QOL of some families who faced these same conditions of job stress and sleep disorders was associated with less parental stress, less parental depression and anxiety, and milder maladaptive behavior in children. Both mothers with limited job flexibility and changes in the sleep rhythm of children were associated with reduced QOL of children and their parents. Low parental stress was associated with decreased maladaptive behavior in children and with maintained QOL of the family.

Caring for the Most Vulnerable: A Model for Managing Maladaptive Behavior in Children with Mental Special Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: This article presents the results of a comprehensive national model developed for managing maladaptive behaviors (MBs) in children with mental special needs (CMSNs) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that combines telehealth-based Applied Behavioral Analyses, psychiatric interventions, and support from local psychosocial teams. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of a system that combined telehealth applications with local psychosocial support teams, allowing services from video calls to emergency interventions. Materials and Methods: The system combines the telehealth applications with the services from local psychosocial intervention teams. In addition to system records covering sociodemographic variables and initial complaints, a telephone survey questioning the effectiveness and satisfaction of the system was used as the main outcome. Results: In total, 347 individuals used the system with mothers constituting the majority of applicants (88.7%, n = 332). The overall satisfaction of the system was 8.8/10. In terms of effectiveness, 63.3% (n = 237) of caregivers reported an improvement in the reason of application. Counselors decided on a need for follow-up visits for 36.6% (n = 137) of applications. A referral to a psychiatrist was asked for 40 patients (10.6%). Discussion: To our best knowledge, this is the first study presenting a model for managing MBs of CMSNs during the COVID-19 outbreak. In general, therefore, it seems that there is a need for unique systems to handle behavioral problems of CMSNs. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that it is possible to establish an integrative multistep multidisciplinary telehealth-based approach in a short while.

Diagnosis and Correction of Maladaptive Behavior in Older Preschoolers

The older preschooler forms long-term psychological mechanisms for activity and behavior that ensure social adaptation. Maladaptive behavior indicates a lack of social skills and requires timely correction. The purpose of this study is to comprehensively diagnose and correct maladaptive behavior in children of senior preschool age. At the ascertaining stage of the experiment, a set of techniques was applied that made it possible to diagnose the factors, manifestations and consequences of maladaptive behavior in older preschoolers. Cluster analysis allowed us to describe the characteristics of children in selective aspects. Statistical analysis revealed that 42.55% of all the older preschool children displayed maladaptive behavior. The diagnosed criteria of maladaptive behavior included assessing factors of maladaptive behavior, identifying manifestation of maladaptive behavior and determining unfavorable group sociometric status. They formed the basis for the development and implementation of remedial programs during the formative stage of the experiment. The programs are aimed at shaping socially adequate behavior in older preschoolers, forming a positive attitude towards enrolling in and attending school, preventing negative emotional states and informing parents about the signs of maladaptive behavior in children. As a result, comprehensive diagnosis and timely correction of maladaptive behavior in older preschoolers ensure their readiness for school.

Study of the Differential Consequences of Neglect and Poverty on Adaptive and Maladaptive Behavior in Children.

The consequences of physical neglect on retardation in the development of adaptive behaviors and the increased risk of poor physical and mental health are well documented. As physical neglect is a phenomenon found almost exclusively among socially deprived people, it is important to distinguish the health effects caused by neglect from those caused by poverty. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of poverty and physical neglect on the development of problematic externalizing and internalizing behaviors, adaptive skills, and school problems among school children between the ages of 3 and 12. A group of 157 children were chosen from 28 Andalusian schools and classified in three homogeneous groups. Children in group 1 (n = 53) had two target conditions: living in slums (poverty) and suffering from neglect. Children in group 2 (n = 52) had one target condition: living in the same slums as the children in group 1, but not suffering from neglect. Group 3 (n = 52) consisted of children from other (non-slum) neighborhoods who did not suffer from neglect. Adaptive and maladaptive behaviors were evaluated with the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC). Significant differences were found between group 1 and group 2, but there were no important differences between group 2 and group 3. The conclusion was that externalizing and internalizing problems, school problems, and low adaptive skills found in neglected children were associated with neglect rather than with poverty or socially deprived environments.

Sensory Processing and Maladaptive Behavior: Profiles Within the Down Syndrome Phenotype

Aim: Sensory processing impairments are well characterized in children with neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autism, and have been associated with maladaptive behaviors. However, little is known regarding sensory processing difficulties within Down syndrome, or how these difficulties may influence maladaptive behavior. This study aims to characterize sensory processing difficulties within the Down syndrome phenotype and determine the influence of processing difficulties on maladaptive behavior. Methods: To explore this issue, we administered the Short Sensory Profile and the Developmental Behavior Checklist to parents or primary caregivers of young children with DS (N = 49; M nonverbal mental age (NVMA) = 30.92 months (SD = 12.30); M chronological age (CA) = 67.04 (SD = 25.13). Results: Results indicated that Low Energy/Weak, Under-responsive/Seeks Sensation, and Auditory Filtering were the areas of greatest sensory regulation difficulty, and that Self-Absorbed behavior and Disruptive/Antisocial behavior were elevated areas of maladaptive behavior. Multivariate regression analyses indicated that Under-responsive/Seeks Sensation was the only sensory regulation domain significantly associated with Self-Absorbed and Disruptive/Antisocial behavior. Conclusion: Findings indicate a consistent pattern of sensory processing impairments and associations with maladaptive behavior in children with DS. Implications for interventions are discussed.

Comparison of Aberrant Behavior Checklist profiles across Prader-Willi syndrome, Down syndrome, and autism spectrum disorder.

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS, OMIM # 176270) and Down syndrome (DS, OMIM #190685) are neurodevelopmental genetic disorders with higher rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) is a caregiver rating scale that assesses maladaptive behaviors. Overlapping symptoms exist between PWS, DS, and ASD, including maladaptive behaviors. We aimed to evaluate ABC profiles between PWS, DS, and ASD alone (without known genetic syndrome). In addition, we hypothesized PWS and DS with a comorbid ASD positive screen or diagnosis would have similar ABC profiles to ASD alone. ABC data from the following cohorts were analyzed: PWS (Seattle Children's Hospital, n = 28, mean age = 12.8 ± 4.9 years; University of Florida, n = 35, mean age = 9.3 ± 7.1 years), DS (Johns Hopkins, n = 406, mean age = 8.1 ± 2.4 years), and ASD (University of Florida, n = 102, mean age = 10.8 ± 3.5 years). ASD alone had significantly higher ABC scores. Subgroups of PWS and DS with a comorbid ASD positive screen or diagnosis had similarities in scores with the ASD only group, with subscale patterns unique to each syndrome. The ABC indicated worse maladaptive behaviors in children with ASD, including those with genetic syndromes. Although more studies are needed to evaluate the utility and the accuracy of the ABC as a tool to screen for ASD in special populations, it may be a useful adjunct in screening those children with PWS or DS who need more in depth ASD evaluation.