Abstract
This report focuses on the emergence of and bidirectional effects between anxiety and sensory over-responsivity (SOR) in toddlers
with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Participants were 149 toddlers with ASD and their mothers, assessed at 2 annual time
points. A cross-lag analysis showed that anxiety symptoms increased over time while SOR remained relatively stable. SOR positively
predicted changes in anxiety over and above child age, autism symptom severity, NVDQ, and maternal anxiety, but anxiety did
not predict changes in SOR. Results suggest that SOR emerges earlier than anxiety, and predicts later development of anxiety.
with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Participants were 149 toddlers with ASD and their mothers, assessed at 2 annual time
points. A cross-lag analysis showed that anxiety symptoms increased over time while SOR remained relatively stable. SOR positively
predicted changes in anxiety over and above child age, autism symptom severity, NVDQ, and maternal anxiety, but anxiety did
not predict changes in SOR. Results suggest that SOR emerges earlier than anxiety, and predicts later development of anxiety.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s10803-011-1361-3
- Authors
- Shulamite A. Green, Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Ayelet Ben-Sasson, Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel
- Timothy W. Soto, Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts, Boston, Boston, MA, USA
- Alice S. Carter, Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts, Boston, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA, USA
- Journal Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Online ISSN 1573-3432
- Print ISSN 0162-3257