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Attachment disorder in autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability

Arvid Nikolai Kildahl (Regional Section Mental Health, Intellectual Disabilities/Autism, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway) (NevSom – Norwegian Centre of Expertise for Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Hypersomnias, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway)
Maria Hagen Engebretsen (Regional Section Mental Health, Intellectual Disabilities/Autism, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway)
Sissel Berge Helverschou (NevSom – Norwegian Centre of Expertise for Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Hypersomnias, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway)

Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities

ISSN: 2044-1282

Article publication date: 7 May 2019

Issue publication date: 23 May 2019

590

Abstract

Purpose

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an exclusion criterion for one of the two attachment disorders in the DSM 5. However, previous findings indicate that ASD and attachment disorder are unrelated conditions and may co-occur. The purpose of this paper is to explore the diagnostic assessment of an adolescent male with ASD, intellectual disability (ID), severe challenging behaviour and a suspected attachment disorder.

Design/methodology/approach

Case study methodology was chosen because of its suitability in the exploration of complex clinical phenomena where prior knowledge is sparse.

Findings

It was possible to identify symptoms of attachment disorder in a case involving ASD, ID, anxiety and severe challenging behaviour. The Disturbances of Attachment Interview was particularly useful in this assessment, as was assessment of ASD symptoms and developmental history. Differentiating the two attachment disorders proved challenging.

Research limitations/implications

There is a need for further research in ASD and attachment disorders not limited by current diagnostic categories.

Practical implications

Co-occurring symptoms of attachment disorder may be identified in individuals with ASD and ID, and exploration of these symptoms in assessments of children and adolescents with ASD/ID and challenging behaviour may be beneficial.

Originality/value

The study adds to previous findings on attachment disorder in ASD, demonstrating that identification of attachment disorder is possible even in the presence of a highly complex clinical picture involving severe challenging behaviour. It may also assist other clinicians in identifying and making more accurate assessment of attachment disorder in ASD and ID.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Professor emerita Patricia Howlin for her helpful comments in the preparation of this manuscript, as well as Trine Lise Bakken, Jane Hellerud, Espen Arnfinn Winther Matre, Trine Elisabeth Iversen, Anne Lise Enger Nilssen and Dina Tegle Stenstad for valuable discussions on anxiety and attachment in ASD and for contributing to making this study possible.

Citation

Kildahl, A.N., Engebretsen, M.H. and Helverschou, S.B. (2019), "Attachment disorder in autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability", Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, Vol. 13 No. 2, pp. 57-66. https://doi.org/10.1108/AMHID-09-2018-0039

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited

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