Network Analysis of Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety and Autism: Discrete but Connected

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is comorbid with several major psychiatric disorders, primarily anxiety. Although a previous report of a network analysis of five anxiety subtypes and some ASD diagnostic criteria suggested that anxiety was not part of the ASD symptomatology, several methodological limitations challenge the conclusions reported there. To address those limitations and extend understanding of the association between ASD and anxiety, data on ASD symptomatology and the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) were collected from 150 autistic boys and their parents and were analysed via network analysis. Results indicated that, although the separation of GAD and ASD symptoms was generally confirmed, several connections were found between the two sets of symptoms, arguing for a more nuanced model of the association between these two disorders. These findings hold implications for the delivery of ‘precision-medicine’ treatment models for the treatment of anxiety in ASD.