Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Descriptive Study
Abstract: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition associated with differences in social communication, interaction, and behaviour. Children with ASD may also experience emotional, behavioural, attentional, and peer-related difficulties. The present study aimed to describe parent-reported emotional and behavioural difficulties among children with ASD using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional design was adopted. Five eligible participant records of children aged 4-10 years were included through purposive selection. The sample consisted of three boys and two girls. Parent-reported SDQ scores were examined across emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, peer problems, total difficulties, and prosocial behaviour. Descriptive statistics, including means, sample standard deviations, medians, and ranges, were calculated. The mean emotional symptoms score was 5.60 (SD = 1.14), conduct problems was 2.40 (SD = 0.89), hyperactivity/inattention was 7.20 (SD = 1.64), and peer problems was 8.20 (SD = 1.30). The mean total difficulties score was 23.40 (SD = 3.21), while the mean prosocial behaviour score was 4.40 (SD = 2.41). Peer problems recorded the highest mean among the four difficulty domains. The findings describe only the five included records and should be interpreted cautiously due to the small sample size, descriptive design, and reliance on parent reports.
Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder, emotional difficulties, behavioural difficulties, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, parent report, peer problems
How to Cite?: Ranjan D. V., Chethana R Acharya, "Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Descriptive Study", Volume 15 Issue 10, October 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 2146-2149, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR261030170216, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR261030170216