The role of social anxiety in autism and the broader autism phenotype: Evidence from childhood through adulthood

Abstract Autism spectrum disorder is characterized by challenges with social interactions, repetitive behaviors, and executive functioning. Autism is also associated with several cooccurring conditions, including social anxiety. In addition to studies of children and adults with autism, several studies have found a positive correlation between levels of autistic behaviors and of social anxiety in the general population, including those along the broader autism phenotype. This chapter reviews research examining how executive function skills vary in children and adults with differing levels of autistic behaviors and social anxiety in clinical populations and in the general population, with a focus on skills related to social cognition. We also discuss treatments that may be beneficial for minimizing the impact of social anxiety in children and adults with autism and for those who report high numbers of autistic behaviors in the general population.