5. Social Camouflaging and Anxiety in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Flashcards about social camouflaging in autistic adults and anxiety assessment in autistic children.

Hull et al. (2017) - Social Camouflaging in Adults with Autism Spectrum Conditions

A study that explores how autistic adults use camouflaging strategies to navigate social situations.

Camouflaging

Concealing autistic traits and adopting behaviors to appear neurotypical.

Motivations for Camouflaging

To fit in socially, build relationships, and avoid negative judgments.

Masking

Suppressing behaviors associated with autism, such as stimming or avoiding eye contact.

Compensation

Learning and mimicking neurotypical social behaviors to appear more socially adept.

Consequences of Camouflaging

Emotional exhaustion and burnout, increased anxiety and stress, threats to self-identity, and delayed diagnosis.

Implications of Camouflaging

Greater awareness of camouflaging behaviors in autistic adults and creating environments where autistic individuals feel safe to express their authentic selves.

Anxiety Scale for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASC-ASD)

A tool designed to assess anxiety in children aged 8 to 16 years with autism, adapted from the Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS).

Adaptation of RCADS for ASC-ASD

Incorporating items related to sensory sensitivities, intolerance of uncertainty, and specific phobias.

Performance Anxiety (ASC-ASD Subscale)

Concerns about performing tasks or being evaluated.

Anxious Arousal (ASC-ASD Subscale)

Physical symptoms associated with anxiety.

Separation Anxiety (ASC-ASD Subscale)

Distress related to separation from caregivers.

Uncertainty (ASC-ASD Subscale)

Discomfort with unpredictable situations.

Psychometric Properties of ASC-ASD

Excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.85-0.94), strong test-retest reliability, and good convergent validity.

Implications of ASC-ASD

Provides a reliable and valid tool specifically tailored to assess anxiety in autistic children, capturing aspects of anxiety that may be overlooked by general measures.