Topography of behavior problems among children with neurodevelopmental conditions: Profile differences and overlaps. (16th November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gardiner, Emily; Miller, Anton R.; Lach, Lucyna M.
• Is Part Of: Child care health and development. Volume 46:Number 1(2020)
• Page Start: 149
• Page End: 153
• Publication Date: 2019-11-16
• Subjects: autism spectrum disorder -- behavior problems -- cerebral palsy -- intellectual disability -- strengths and difficulties; Child development -- Periodicals; Child care -- Periodicals; Children -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Children with disabilities -- Periodicals; 155.405
• DOI: 10.1111/cch.12720
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-1862

Abstract

Abstract: Background: This exploratory proof of principle study examined the extent to which behavior problems represent a functional characteristic that crosses diagnostic boundaries. Methods: This cross‐sectional study pertains to 179 caregivers of children, aged 4–13 years ( M = 8.27) with cerebral palsy ( n = 77), autism spectrum disorder ( n = 58), and global developmental delay/intellectual disability ( n = 44). Caregivers completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, which provides a measure of conduct problems, emotional symptoms, hyperactivity‐inattention, peer problems, as well as total difficulties. Results: Behavior problem severity differed across diagnostic groups ( p < .001). Visual examination of box plots indicated substantial overlap within Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire subscales across children with autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, and global developmental delay/intellectual disability. Children within each condition demonstrated matching profile topographies, such that hyperactivity‐inattention difficulties were most severe. Repeated measures analysis of variances confirmed that children within each group received significantly higher ratings on the hyperactivity‐inattention subscale (all p < .001). Conclusions: The approach adopted to examine the data and findings have the potential to inform how we conceptualize and study behavior problems among children with neurodevelopmental conditions. Importantly, children with particular conditions did not demonstrate unique constellations of difficulties. Clinicians must therefore be attuned to the possibility of commonality in behavior problems across children with disparate diagnoses, irrespective of syndrome‐specific expectations.