Comorbid psychiatric disorders associated with Asperger syndrome/high-functioning autism: a community- and clinic-based study.

Mattila et al. (2010) looked at kids and teens with Asperger or high-functioning autism. They pulled clinic and community records to see who had extra psychiatric diagnoses. The team counted how many also had disorders like ADHD, anxiety, or tics.

Three out of four youth carried at least one more psychiatric label. The top extras were behavior problems, anxiety, and tic disorders. Kids with these add-ons scored lower on daily-living skills.

Wilkinson et al. (1998) saw the same pattern earlier: 65 % of their small AS group had extra disorders. The new 74 % figure updates that old count, showing the burden is even higher.

Salazar et al. (2015) pushes the timeline younger. In preschool kids the rate jumps to 90 %. Together the studies draw a rising line: the earlier you look, the more comorbidity you find.

Lugnegård et al. (2011) picks up where Marja-Leena stops. In young adults with AS, 70 % had faced major depression. The message across papers: comorbidity stays common as the child grows.

If you serve a client with AS or HFA, plan on extra disorders. Screen each intake for anxiety, mood, and behavior issues even when autism is the only referral reason. Use parent, teacher, and self-reports to catch what hides behind social deficits. Early detection lets you add CBT, medication consult, or social-skills groups before functioning drops further.