Behavior problems: differences among intellectually disabled adults with co-morbid autism spectrum disorders and...

Area of Science:

• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Behavioral Science
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Behavioral problems are prevalent in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID), autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and epilepsy.
• Existing research lacks comparative data on behavior problem indices across these distinct and overlapping populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare the prevalence and types of behavior problems among adults with ID, ASD, epilepsy, and combined ID with ASD and/or epilepsy.
• To identify specific behavioral differences across these groups.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the ASD-Behavior Problems-Adult version battery for assessment.
• Compared 100 participants with ID across four groups: ID only, ID with epilepsy, ID with ASD, and ID with both ASD and epilepsy.
• Controlled for age, gender, race, ID severity, and sensory impairments.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in behavior problems were found among the four groups (Wilks's Lambda=.79, p<.05).
• Groups differed on aggression/destruction and stereotypy subscales.
• Individuals with combined ID, ASD, and epilepsy exhibited significantly more impairment compared to groups with single conditions.

Conclusions:

• Co-occurring ASD and epilepsy in individuals with ID exacerbate behavioral challenges.
• Findings highlight the need for tailored interventions considering the complex interplay of these conditions.
• Emphasizes the importance of comprehensive behavioral assessments in this population.