2017 Gatlinburg Conference Symposium Submission

Overview: Anxiety disorders constitute the most common and debilitating mental health problem in childhood. Neurodevelopmental subgroups such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and fragile X syndrome (FXS) are at even greater risk, with 65% and 87% meeting criteria for an anxiety disorder respectively (Cordeiro et al., 2011; Salazar et al., 2015). Recognition of anxiety in individuals with ASD or FXS is quite complex, however, given overlapping features. Also, assessment of anxiety in these populations is fraught with challenges due to a paucity of standardized measures designed for neurodevelopmental populations and the presence of cognitive and language impairments that typically preclude accurate self-report. Despite these challenges, accurate and early recognition of anxiety in neurodevelopmental disorders is critical to direct treatment aimed to reduce impairment or even prevent the occurrence of anxiety in high-risk populations. Furthermore, risk markers of anxiety, particularly those that are objectively and quantitatively measured, may be promising biomarkers for anxiety in high-risk populations, and may also be utilized as outcome measures in anxiety interventions. In this series of talks, we will present data on the presence of anxiety across the spectrum of development from infancy through adulthood utilizing multiple measures including eye-tracking, diagnostic interviews, rating scales, direct observation and biomarkers.