Autism is a developmental disorder that usually appears within the first three years of a child’s life and affects approximately four times as many boys as girls (Levy, Mandell & Schultz, 2009). Autism spectrum disorders are characterized by deficits in social interaction, communication and stereotyped or repetitive behaviours, and the range of severity varies (Levy et al., 2009). Anxiety disorders are one of the most common disorders in childhood, and although precise statistics vary, anxiety disorders are especially present among individuals with autism (Reaven, 2009). Estimates show that the prevalence of anxiety in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) ranges from 11-84% (White et al., as cited in Lang, Regester, Lauderdale, Ashbaugh and Haring, 2010). Studies indicate that anxiety …show more content…
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