Understanding the Problem of Anxiety in Autism- Susan White, Ph.D.

This webinar explores the prevalence, assessment, and treatment of anxiety in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Research suggests that anxiety is highly comorbid with ASD, affecting 30–80% of individuals, with specific phobias and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) being most common in younger children, while social anxiety increases in adolescence. Anxiety in ASD may present uniquely, often overlapping with core ASD traits such as insistence on sameness, social withdrawal, and avoidance, making accurate assessment challenging. Research highlights the need for individualized assessment and intervention, given that anxiety in ASD is often a chronic, trait-based issue rather than a transient state.