Fears of Change and Negative Reactions to Change

Abstract This chapter highlights the section on Fears of Change and Negative Reactions to Change in the Anxiety and Related Disorders Interview Schedule for DSM-5, Child Version, with Autism Spectrum Addendum (ADIS/ASA): Parent Interview Schedule (PIS). Fear of Change may be a component of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in youth on the autism spectrum if such symptoms occur alongside GAD symptoms. If GAD is not present, these symptoms may be represented by a diagnosis of Other Specified Anxiety Disorder if it is deemed clinically appropriate and meaningful for treatment planning. Meanwhile, negative reactions to change are not clearly symptoms of anxiety. These difficulties may be better conceptualized as general emotion dysregulation or rigidity associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) rather than a discrete disorder.