Review on Assessment of Anxiety Symptoms of Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Background: Review of the criteria of anxiety and its types and subtypes and the instruments and methods used to assess anxiety in people with ASD. Method: A literature search was made in PubMed and PsychINFO for clinically relevant articles and book chapters published between the 1980s and 2017. In addition, research papers were found through National Institute of Health (NIH) publications. Results: A total of 80 were reviewer of anxiety in people with ASD, with different sample size which document the role of anxiety in their difficulties in adaptation and integration. The studies applied a combined total of 34 instruments to diagnose and evaluate the anxiety of individuals with ASD, using several sources, including the individuals themselves. Conclusions: Effective way of assessment is the cross-checking of symptoms using different instruments and several sources of information, including parents, teachers and the individuals themselves.