UNDERSTANDING AND MINIMIZING REPORTING DISCREPANCY OF ANXIETY SYMPTOMS IN AUTISTIC YOUTH

Sarah C. Boland

doi:10.7273/000007914

The caregiver- and self-reporting process is an essential component of clinical assessment and intervention for youth. Whereas research consistently supports differences in reporting (i.e., discrepancy) between youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their caregivers when rating internalizing symptoms, the nature of the discrepancy (e.g., which informant reports more or less symptoms, extent of agreement) remains mixed. Certain demographic and family factors may impact the nature of discrepancy. Currently, there is no known literature on how psychoeducation with facilitated discussion impacts the gaps in perception between caregivers and autistic youth. Thus, the current study aimed to assess the efficacy of a psychoeducational intervention program on reducing anxiety-related informant reporting discrepancy. The study also aimed to assess demographic/non-demographic variables that may contribute to parent-child discrepancy and factors that may be relevant to consider when developing a discrepancy-reducing intervention. The discrepancy-intervention condition included a pamphlet that provided information on discrepancy and offered tips for talking to youth about anxiety symptoms. Additionally, one Zoom-based joint outreach session with the youth and caregiver was provided to facilitate discussion about differences in perception, with the goal of helping families to collaboratively approach emotional challenges that youth are experiencing. The current study replicated the overall finding that caregivers tend to report more internalizing symptoms compared to autistic youth. Generally speaking, ASD social behavior and caregiver distress positively related to parent-child discrepancy, whereas child verbal IQ negatively related to discrepancy. Specific to the BASC anxiety outcome measure, families in the discrepancy-intervention condition exhibited significant decreases in their reporting discrepancy compared to families in the discrepancy-control condition. There is evidence to suggest that some variables such as caregiver distress, ASD social behavior, and child race may impact treatment efficacy. The current study aimed to continue to build upon evidence-based knowledge about the nature of informant discrepancy, with the hope of being better able to provide quality care to families and children with ASD.

UNDERSTANDING AND MINIMIZING REPORTING DISCREPANCY OF ANXIETY SYMPTOMS IN AUTISTIC YOUTH

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