Assessing Anxiety in Autistic and Non-Autistic Youth: Validation of the German Parent Version of the Anxiety Scale for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Researchers tested a German version of an anxiety questionnaire designed specifically for autistic children. They studied 317 children, including 120 autistic youth. The questionnaire worked well and reliably measured anxiety symptoms. Autistic children showed higher anxiety and uncertainty scores than non-autistic children. The study included children with intellectual disabilities, making the results more applicable to the broader autism community.

This validation study examined the German translation of the Anxiety Scale for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder-Parent Version (ASC-ASD-P) in 317 participants, including 120 autistic youth. The scale demonstrated excellent internal consistency (α = 0.92) and strong convergent validity with established measures like the CBCL and SDQ. Factor analysis revealed a 4-factor structure in the autism group, though replicating the Separation Anxiety Subscale proved challenging. Autistic youth showed significantly higher total anxiety and uncertainty scores compared to non-autistic peers, demonstrating the scale's sensitivity to autism-specific anxiety patterns.

Notably, the study included youth with intellectual disabilities, providing broader applicability across the autism spectrum.

The German ASC-ASD-P provides a reliable, autism-specific anxiety assessment tool for German-speaking clinicians. Its sensitivity to autism-specific anxiety patterns and inclusion of youth with intellectual disabilities enhances clinical utility across the autism spectrum, though refinements to the Separation Anxiety subscale may improve accuracy.

The study notes difficulties replicating the Separation Anxiety Subscale structure, suggesting potential measurement challenges. The abstract does not specify demographic details, recruitment methods, or comparison group characteristics, limiting assessment of generalizability.

Anxiety is a prevalent co-occurring disorder in autistic youth, yet its accurate assessment remains challenging due to symptom overlap with autism. The Anxiety Scale for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder-Parent Version (ASC-ASD-P) was designed to address this issue, but its utility in German clinical settings has not been established. This study validated the German translation of the ASC-ASD-P in a clinical sample of 317 participants presenting at a clinic for autism assessment, including 120 autistic youth. Internal consistency was excellent (Cronbach's α = 0.92), and convergent validity was demonstrated through significant correlations with established psychopathology measures such as the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).

Factor analyses preferred a 4-factor structure in the autism group, but indicated difficulties replicating the Separation Anxiety Subscale. Autistic youth showed higher total anxiety and uncertainty scores compared to non-autistic youth, underlining the scale's sensitivity to autism-specific anxiety patterns. By including youth with intellectual disabilities, often underrepresented in research, this study provides a more comprehensive evaluation of the ASC-ASD-P's applicability across the autism spectrum. These findings support the ASC-ASD-P as a reliable tool for assessing anxiety in German-speaking autistic youth while highlighting areas where refinement could strengthen its utility.