AUTHOR=Operto Francesca Felicia , Pastorino Grazia Maria Giovanna , Scuoppo Chiara , Padovano Chiara , Vivenzio Valentina , Pistola Ilaria , Belfiore Gilda , Rinaldi Rosetta , de Simone Valeria , Coppola Giangennaro 

TITLE=Adaptive Behavior, Emotional/Behavioral Problems and Parental Stress in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neuroscience

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2021.751465

DOI=10.3389/fnins.2021.751465

ISSN=1662-453X

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Background:</bold> The aim of our study was to compare adaptive skills, emotional/behavioral problems, and parental stress among children with different severity levels of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) symptoms.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> This study included a sample of 88 subjects with ASD (mean age = 6.00 ± 2.70). All subjects underwent standardized neuropsychological tests for the assessment of symptoms of the autism spectrum (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Second Edition), adaptive level (The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Survey Interview, 2nd edition), behavioral and emotional problems (Child Behavior CheckList CBCL), and parental stress (Parental Stress Index Short Form-PSI-SF). Non-parametric statistical methods (Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney <italic>U</italic>-test for <italic>post hoc</italic> analysis) and linear regression analysis were used in this study.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold><italic>C</italic>hildren who had higher severity levels of ASD symptoms had less adaptive functioning; younger children showed more severe symptoms of ASD; older children had better communication skills. The presence of greater adaptive difficulties was related to a greater presence of internalizing problems. An increase in parental stress levels was related to an higher severity of ASD symptoms, fewer adaptive skills, and a greater presence of internalizing and externalizing problems.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> This study suggests that the adaptive behavior should be considered in order to planning a habilitation intervention in children with autism. It is also important to monitor emotional/behavioral problems and parental stress levels in order to provide parenting support and improve the family quality of life.</p>