To determine whether psychiatric and behavioural disorders occur more frequently in adolescents with autism and intellectual disabilities, compared with those without autism.
Method:
A population-based case–control study was undertaken and 36 adolescents with autism were pairwise matched for age and IQ to 36 adolescents without autism. Caregivers were interviewed with structured psychiatric interview and questionnaire measures of psychiatric and behavioural problems.
Results:
Compulsive behaviours and stereotypies were significantly more common in adolescents with autism.
Conclusions:
Adolescents with autism are prone to compulsive behaviours and stereotypies as well as specific manifestations of anxiety, fears, and phobias.
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