Depression Symptoms in Boys with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Comparison Samples

This study compares severity of specific depression symptoms in boys with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or chronic multiple tic disorder (CMTD) and typically developing boys (Controls). Children
were evaluated with parent and teacher versions of the Child Symptom Inventory-4 (CSI-4) and a demographic questionnaire.
Mothers’ and teachers’ ratings generally indicated the most severe symptoms in boys with ASD ± ADHD. Associations of depression
with ASD severity and IQ varied considerably for specific symptoms of depression, ASD functional domain, and informant. Findings
provide additional support for the differential influence of neurobehavioral syndromes on co-occurring symptom severity and
illustrate how more fine-grained analyses of clinical phenotypes may contribute to a better understanding of etiology and
current nosology.