Parents’ Perceptions on Anxiety Symptoms in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) exhibit comorbidity with anxiety. In anxiety management programs, parents take on the role of the supporter, trainer, and friend. This study investigated the views of  parents on anxiety symptoms in schoolchildren with ASD using the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders - Parent Version (SCARED-PV) questionnaire. The perception of parents of children of typical development (TD) was also studied. According to parental assessment, 95.6% of the children with ASD and 20% of those of TD showed anxiety levels within the clinical spectrum of the disorder. Parents have an integral role in managing anxiety in their children with ASD.