Profiles of Internalizing Symptomatology and Social Motivation in Youth with ASD

Although clinically significant symptoms of anxiety or depression are present in nearly one in two people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), little is known about how these symptoms may relate to social motivation, a key construct in the etiology of ASD. The aim of the current study was to examine patterns of anxiety, depression, ASD symptomatology, and social motivation in youth with ASD. Using a large public dataset of well-characterized youth with ASD (N = 195), we examined varying patterns of these symptoms via latent profile analysis (LPA). Three distinct classes emerged: one with moderate ASD severity and low levels of comorbid psychopathology, a second with more severe ASD symptoms and similarly low anxiety and depression, and a third with significantly elevated anxiety and depression. Neither sex nor age differed significantly among these classes, and indices of social interest early in development did not predict class membership. Implications of these symptom patterns for assessment and treatment of comorbidity in ASD are discussed. ; Doctor of Philosophy ; A large proportion of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience symptoms of anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression might be related to social motivation, which is a key concept associated with the development of ASD. The current study examined variation in anxiety, depression, social motivation, and ASD symptom severity in a large sample of youth with ASD. Individuals in the sample were classified in groups by a statistical model. Models produced three separate groups: one group with moderate symptoms of ASD and relatively low levels of anxiety and depression, a second with more severe ASD symptoms and similarly low anxiety and depression, and a final group with moderate ASD symptoms and high anxiety and depression. Social motivation was strongest in the first and second groups, and low social motivation was strongly associated with anxiety and depression symptoms. Age and sex did not predict group membership, nor did ...