Background Depression is a common psychiatric problem associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) across the lifespan. Objective We sought to identify medical and behavioral problems associated with a history of a parent reported diagnosis of depression in a large sample of school-aged children and adolescents with ASD. Methods A sample of 1272 participants (age 6–17 years, M=9.56, SD=2.79) from the Autism Speaks-Autism Treatment Network (AS-ATN) consortium was divided into “Ever-Depressed” (n=89) and “Non-Depressed” (n=1183) groups based on caregiver endorsement of children’s current or previous diagnoses of depression. Results 7.0% of children with ASD (4.8% of those aged 6–12 and 20.2% of those aged 13–17) were reported to have a history of a depression diagnosis. Positive depression history was associated with greater chronological age, higher IQ, and Asperger’s Disorder diagnosis. After controlling for age, IQ, and DSM-IV ASD diagnostic subtype, the Ever-Depressed group exhibited significantly greater rates of seizure disorders (OR= 2.64) and gastrointestinal problems (OR=2.59), and trend level differences in aggression, somatic complaints, and social impairments. The groups did not differ in autism severity, repetitive and compulsive behaviors, sleep problems, eating problems, self-injurious behavior, or use of behavior, social, or educational interventions or therapies. Conclusions Co-occurring depression is a particularly common problem in higher-functioning, older children within the AS-ATN. Our findings indicate that children with ASD who have a parent reported history of a depression diagnosis are more likely to also have co-occurring medical problems, although the presence and direction of causality is unclear.

No abstract