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DIFFERENTIAL IMPACTS OF ANXIETY ON REPETITIVE BEHAVIORS IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER AND WILLIAMS SYNDROME
Location: 85
Mentor: Dr. Michael Alessandri
Repetitive behaviors (RRBs) are a hallmark feature of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and part of its diagnostic criteria, while anxiety is a common co-occurring condition, affecting approximately 40% of individuals with ASD. In contrast, both RRBs and anxiety are frequently observed in Williams Syndrome (WS), yet their interplay across these conditions remains underexplored. This study examines the differential impact of anxiety on RRBs in children with ASD and WS. Using data from a larger international survey of special needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, caregiver-reported behaviors of 249 children aged 5-16 years were analyzed (ASD: N = 189; WS: N = 60). The ASD group demonstrated significantly higher levels of RRBs, including sameness, routine, and resistance to change, compared to the WS group. However, anxiety levels between the two groups were not significantly different. Correlational analyses revealed that anxiety was strongly associated with RRBs in children with ASD but weaker and more selective associations between anxiety and RRBs were found in WS. These findings suggest that while anxiety influences RRBs in both groups, its effect is more pervasive in ASD. These results underscore the importance of addressing anxiety within therapeutic interventions, particularly for ASD, where reducing anxiety may attenuate RRB severity and improve quality of life. By contrasting these associations across ASD and WS, this study offers critical insights into tailoring treatments to the unique needs of these populations, providing a foundation for advancing clinical and therapeutic approaches.
