Catatonia in autism spectrum disorders: Prevalence, functional impact, and diagnostic insights

The current study aimed to evaluate subtle catatonia behaviors and functionality in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The sample consisted of 48 patients (11 female, 37 male) aged 12–18 (13.77 ± 2.01). DSM-5 catatonia criteria and Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale (BCRS) was utilized to assess catatonia, while the impairment in functionality was appraised using the Global Assessment Scale. Parents fulfilled the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale-Parent version (RCADS-PV) and Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R). The presence of catatonia was detected in 18 out of 48 (37.5 %) participants according to BCRS, and in 16 cases (35.4 %) according to DSM-5 criteria. A significant association between two diagnostic tools was observed (p < 0.001). In the group with mild impairment in functionality, 2 cases had catatonia (12.5 %), while in the group with more impaired functionality, 16 cases (50 %) had catatonia (p = 0.011) according to BCRS. Major depressive disorder subscale scores of RCADS-PV and stereotypic movements (RBS-R) were correlated with the presence of catatonia (p < 0.05). The findings suggest a higher prevalence of catatonia in ASD, and a potential correlation between the presence of catatonia and functionality. More research is warranted to highlight the presence and course of catatonia beginning from the early years of ASD.