Autism and separation anxiety disorder in Hong Kong children

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in Hong Kong

The prevalence of mental health problems in people with disabilities is estimated at between thirty and fifty percent, in Hong Kong (Vasa & Roy, 2013). Anxiety disorders are the most common mental problems occurring during adolescent and childhood, at least one in ten people having anxiety disorders. In addition, anxiety disorders are the most common manifestations of psychological distress among people with autism. People with autism are much likely to be anxious than their non-autistic peers. Oftentimes, they are described as highly anxious. The co-morbidity of separation anxiety is frequent in people with autism. Similarly, epidemiological studies indicate that approximately eighty percent of people with autism have separation anxieties. This study concentrates on discussing the treatment method or way of Autism and Separation Anxiety Disorder among children and adolescents in Hong Kong.

Risk factors owing autism

Young people with autism are more prone to separation anxiety disorder much more than their normal peers. This can be attributed to variations like inadequate social support, lifetime of adversity and poor coping skills. In addition, lack of cognitive and social resources to cope with adulthood is believed to contribute to this vulnerability. These variations contribute to the heightened vulnerability of stressful life events that can trigger separation anxiety disorder. Poor linguistic skills, over protection and difficulties in dismissing fears are potential for separation anxiety disorder (Mash & Barkley, 2013). Sometimes, separation anxiety can be out of proportion to be attributed to something in particular. Developmental disorders such as autistic spectrum disorder tend to make adults and children more susceptible to separation anxiety.

Interventions

Effective interventions are available for children and adolescents with autism and separation disorders. There is an in-depth body of literature on intervention approaches for these sorts of mental health disorders. This section presents interventions being effectively used among children and adolescents with autism and separation anxiety. They include medication, cognitive and behavioral approaches.

Behavioral approaches

The goal of this approach is to change the behavior, which is harmful or not helpful. In behavioral intervention, relaxation seems to be useful in minimizing separation anxiety and enhancing cognitive performance amongst persons with mild, moderate, and severe autism. For instance, researchers have found that relaxation behavioral training is effective in treating separation anxiety. According to a study focusing on simplified techniques in addressing anxiety, behavioral relaxation training emerged as an effective method of separation anxiety treatment (Vasa & Roy, 2013).

Cognitive behavioral approaches

Consistent with recent literature, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is widely used. It has been accepted by persons with autism as an effective form of psychotherapy for various forms of mental health disorders. There is a growing base of evidence for its effectiveness among the autistic population. This technique has been used successfully in the treatment of separation anxiety in young people with autism. Various studies indicate the potential feasibility of cognitive behavioral therapy amongst young people with autism in reducing separation anxiety. For instance, a number of researchers have reported statistics on individuals with success levels of using cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be useful in applying to other anxiety disorders. For instance, Ozonoff, Rogers, and Hendren (2013) demonstrate a significant decrease in separation anxiety symptoms using CBT for young people with autism. Besides, the core principles of CBT require modifications to meet the abilities of the affected persons and incorporate support needs and cognitive impairment.

Medication

The use of drug treatment in managing adolescent and child anxiety disorders remains contentious. This is because a number of clinicians still argue that such disorders are successfully treated with psychological interventions. While the use of medication in the treatment of separation anxiety can be useful in the long-term and initial management of separation anxiety, the more prolonged and continued use of medication singularly is inappropriate. This is the case because it does not allow a person to develop and deploy successful coping behaviors in circumstances that warrant them. The most widely used drugs in the treatment of childhood separation anxiety are tricyclic and benzodiazepines antidepressants (Vasa & Roy, 2013).

Conclusion

Separation anxiety disorders do exist in adolescents and children with autism. They tend to experience higher levels of separation anxiety than their non-autistic peers do. Studies have documented the prevalence rates of separation anxiety in persons with autism and provided possible interventions to help this population manage their separation anxiety. Recent studies emphasize the need for engaging these interventions to help curb and overcome mental health issues in this group.