2006/08/16 by Deborah A. Pearson, Katherine A. Loveland, David Lachar +5 · 1 citation
Medicine · Neuroscience · Psychology · #Autism Spectrum Disorder Research #Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues #Family and Disability Support Research
paper · doi:10.1080/09297040600646847
openalex publication_date 2006/08/16 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
Behavioral symptomatology was compared in 26 children and adolescents with Autistic Disorder ("autism") and 25 children and adolescents with Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified ("PDD-NOS"). Relative to individuals with PDD-NOS, those with autism had more symptoms of depression, social withdrawal, atypical behavior, and immature social skills--and fewer family problems. These differences remained even when group differences in intellectual ability were statistically controlled. No group differences emerged in somatization, anxiety, or hyperactivity. Findings suggest that although both groups demonstrate considerable evidence of behavioral and emotional problems, those with autism are at particularly high risk for comorbid behavioral and emotional disabilities.