[article] 
inResearch in Autism Spectrum Disorders > 73 (May 2019) . - 101531

Titre :	Alexithymia and autism diagnostic assessments: Evidence from twins at genetic risk of autism and adults with anorexia nervosa
Type de document :	Texte imprimé et/ou numérique
Auteurs :	Hannah HOBSON, Auteur ; Heather WESTWOOD, Auteur ; Jane CONWAY, Auteur ; Fiona S. MCEWEN, Auteur ; Emma COLVERT, Auteur ; Caroline CATMUR, Auteur ; Geoffrey BIRD, Auteur ; Francesca HAPPE, Auteur
Article en page(s) :	101531
Langues :	Anglais (eng)
Mots-clés :	ADOS  Alexithymia  Diagnosis  Autism  Anorexia nervosa
Index. décimale :	PER Périodiques
Résumé :	Background Alexithymia, a difficulty identifying and communicating one’s own emotions, affects socio-emotional processes, such as emotion recognition and empathy. Co-occurring alexithymia is prevalent in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and underlies some socio-emotional difficulties usually attributed to autism. Socio-emotional abilities are examined during behavioural diagnostic assessments of autism, yet the effect of alexithymia on these assessments is not known. This study aimed to examine the associations between alexithymia and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) assessment scores. Method Two previously collected samples of ADOS assessments were used to examine the relationship between alexithymia and ADOS scores. Participants included 96 women with anorexia, and 147 adolescents who were either high in autistic symptoms, or whose twin had high autistic symptoms. We examined 1) the impact of alexithymia on meeting the criteria for autism/ASD, 2) correlations between alexithymia and ADOS subscales, and 3) whether alexithymia predicted scores on specific ADOS items, selected a priori based on existing literature. Results In the adolescent group, parent-reported (but not self-reported) alexithymia correlated with both ADOS sub-scales, predicted scores on ADOS items, and predicted meeting clinical cut-offs for an ASD/autism diagnosis. Few associations were observed in the anorexic sample between self-reported alexithymia and ADOS subscale and item scores, but the presence of alexithymia predicted the likelihood of meeting diagnostic criteria for autism/ASD in this sample. Conclusions Alexithymia does show relationships with ADOS assessment scores. We discuss potential clinical and research implications, particularly in studies of autism where the ADOS is often the only diagnostic measure used.
En ligne :	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2020.101531
Permalink :	https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=421

[article] Alexithymia and autism diagnostic assessments: Evidence from twins at genetic risk of autism and adults with anorexia nervosa [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Hannah HOBSON, Auteur ; Heather WESTWOOD, Auteur ; Jane CONWAY, Auteur ; Fiona S. MCEWEN, Auteur ; Emma COLVERT, Auteur ; Caroline CATMUR, Auteur ; Geoffrey BIRD, Auteur ; Francesca HAPPE, Auteur . - 101531.
Langues : Anglais (eng)
in Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders > 73 (May 2019) . - 101531

Mots-clés :	ADOS  Alexithymia  Diagnosis  Autism  Anorexia nervosa
Index. décimale :	PER Périodiques
Résumé :	Background Alexithymia, a difficulty identifying and communicating one’s own emotions, affects socio-emotional processes, such as emotion recognition and empathy. Co-occurring alexithymia is prevalent in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and underlies some socio-emotional difficulties usually attributed to autism. Socio-emotional abilities are examined during behavioural diagnostic assessments of autism, yet the effect of alexithymia on these assessments is not known. This study aimed to examine the associations between alexithymia and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) assessment scores. Method Two previously collected samples of ADOS assessments were used to examine the relationship between alexithymia and ADOS scores. Participants included 96 women with anorexia, and 147 adolescents who were either high in autistic symptoms, or whose twin had high autistic symptoms. We examined 1) the impact of alexithymia on meeting the criteria for autism/ASD, 2) correlations between alexithymia and ADOS subscales, and 3) whether alexithymia predicted scores on specific ADOS items, selected a priori based on existing literature. Results In the adolescent group, parent-reported (but not self-reported) alexithymia correlated with both ADOS sub-scales, predicted scores on ADOS items, and predicted meeting clinical cut-offs for an ASD/autism diagnosis. Few associations were observed in the anorexic sample between self-reported alexithymia and ADOS subscale and item scores, but the presence of alexithymia predicted the likelihood of meeting diagnostic criteria for autism/ASD in this sample. Conclusions Alexithymia does show relationships with ADOS assessment scores. We discuss potential clinical and research implications, particularly in studies of autism where the ADOS is often the only diagnostic measure used.
En ligne :	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2020.101531
Permalink :	https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=421