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Published on: April 22, 2015
Schizophrenia in autistic people with intellectual disabilities: Symptom manifestations and identification
Trine Lise Bakken1, Arvid Nikolai Kildahl2, Linn Beate Ludvigsen3
1Oslo University Hospital, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway.
Background:
The assessment of schizophrenia in autistic people with intellectual disabilities is challenging. This study aimed to explore the identification of schizophrenia in this population.
Methods:
Using data from a clinical multi-centre study, reported symptoms in 26 autistic individuals with intellectual disabilities diagnosed with co-occurring schizophrenia were explored. Scores on two checklists (Psychopathology in Autism Checklist [PAC], Aberrant Behaviour Checklist [ABC]) were compared with two comparison groups: autistic individuals with intellectual disabilities and other mental disorders (94), or no mental disorder (63).
Results:
Reported symptoms of schizophrenia in this population met the formal diagnostic criteria. For PAC/ABC scales, only PAC psychosis differed for the schizophrenia group. Among participants with schizophrenia, two were diagnosed with additional mental disorders. Elevated scores for anxiety and depression were common.
Conclusions:
Emphasising core symptoms seems necessary when assessing co-occurring schizophrenia in autistic people with intellectual disabilities. The PAC may serve as a helpful screening tool.
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