Abstract
The current study examined depressive symptoms, concerning the week following autism spectrum diagnosis and an average of
1.4 years later, in mothers (n = 75) of young children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Over three-quarters of mothers (78.7%) provided
retrospective reports of clinically significant depressive symptoms regarding the week following their child’s ASD diagnosis,
with some 37.3% continuing to report clinically significant levels of depressive symptoms at follow-up. Depressive symptoms
immediately following diagnosis were not related to initial global characteristics of child functioning, but were related
to reported child problem behaviors and financial barriers at follow-up. Results of this study underscore the importance of
attention to caregiver distress and depression within models of autism detection and intervention.
1.4 years later, in mothers (n = 75) of young children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Over three-quarters of mothers (78.7%) provided
retrospective reports of clinically significant depressive symptoms regarding the week following their child’s ASD diagnosis,
with some 37.3% continuing to report clinically significant levels of depressive symptoms at follow-up. Depressive symptoms
immediately following diagnosis were not related to initial global characteristics of child functioning, but were related
to reported child problem behaviors and financial barriers at follow-up. Results of this study underscore the importance of
attention to caregiver distress and depression within models of autism detection and intervention.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s10803-011-1375-x
- Authors
- Julie Lounds Taylor, Departments of Pediatrics and Special Education, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center/Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Zachary E. Warren, Departments of Pediatrics and Psychology, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center/Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders, Vanderbilt University, PMB 74, 230 Appleton Pl, 37203 Nashville, TN, USA
- Journal Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Online ISSN 1573-3432
- Print ISSN 0162-3257