Investigating variables which predict the presence and severity of aggression and self-injurious behavior in children with autism spectrum disorder

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Deija McLean
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Aggressive Behavior ◽  
Social Withdrawal ◽  
Challenging Behaviors ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
University Of Missouri ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
The University

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] Literature indicates that individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at-risk for developing challenging behaviors (Holden and Gitlesen, 2006; McClintock et al., 2003). Challenging behaviors such as aggression and self-injurious behavior (SIB) warrant additional attention due to the negative impacts associated with the presence of these behaviors. The purpose of the current study was to investigate variables which predict the presence and severity of aggression and self-injurious behavior (SIB) in a large sample (n = 2100) of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). According to results of regression analyses, the presence of lethargy/social withdrawal behavior, irritability, and hyperactivity/noncompliance were predictive of aggressive behavior in this sample. Irritability and hyperactivity/noncompliance also predicted severity of exhibited aggressive behavior. Older age and the presence of inappropriate speech, irritability and aggression were predictive of SIB in this population. Irritability also predicted severity of exhibited SIB. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

scholarly journals Lagging skills contribute to challenging behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder without intellectual disability

Autism ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 898-906 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenna B Maddox ◽  
Patrick Cleary ◽  
Emily S Kuschner ◽  
Judith S Miller ◽  
Anna Chelsea Armour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Social Skills ◽  
Challenging Behaviors ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Environmental Demands

Many children with autism spectrum disorder display challenging behaviors. These behaviors are not limited to those with cognitive and/or language impairments. The Collaborative and Proactive Solutions framework proposes that challenging behaviors result from an incompatibility between environmental demands and a child’s “lagging skills.” The primary Collaborative and Proactive Solutions lagging skills—executive function, emotion regulation, language, and social skills—are often areas of weakness for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether these lagging skills are associated with challenging behaviors in youth with autism spectrum disorder without intellectual disability. Parents of 182 youth with autism spectrum disorder (6–15 years) completed measures of their children’s challenging behaviors, executive function, language, emotion regulation, and social skills. We tested whether the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions lagging skills predicted challenging behaviors using multiple linear regression. The Collaborative and Proactive Solutions lagging skills explained significant variance in participants’ challenging behaviors. The Depression (emotion regulation), Inhibit (executive function), and Sameness (executive function) scales emerged as significant predictors. Impairments in emotion regulation and executive function may contribute substantially to aggressive and oppositional behaviors in school-age youth with autism spectrum disorder without intellectual disability. Treatment for challenging behaviors in this group may consider targeting the incompatibility between environmental demands and a child’s lagging skills.

scholarly journals Caregiver-mediated approaches to managing challenging behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder

2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-233
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Behavioral Interventions ◽  
Challenging Behaviors ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Adolescents With Asd

A significant proportion of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are referred to mental health centers due to the presence of challenging behaviors. Because challenging behaviors in children and adolescents with ASD often result from underlying social and communication difficulties and comorbid anxiety, traditional caregiver-mediated behavior intervention techniques developed for children with disruptive behavior disorders may need to be adapted for this population. Behavioral interventions that target communication skills, social skills, anxiety, and sensory responsiveness in children with ASD may be needed. Notably, while best practice necessitates the involvement of caregivers in treating children and adolescents with ASD, few randomized control studies have examined the effectiveness of caregiver-implemented interventions in reducing challenging behaviors. This review summarizes the current literature with regard to caregiver-mediated behavioral interventions for children with ASD, and suggests areas for intervention development and research.

Parent Training for Disruptive Behavior

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Bearss ◽  
Cynthia R. Johnson ◽  
Benjamin L. Handen ◽  
Eric Butter ◽  
Luc Lecavalier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Parent Training ◽  
Challenging Behaviors ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Treatment Manual ◽  
Training Manual ◽  
Booster Sessions

The RUBI Autism Network has developed and tested a structured parent training manual for children with autism spectrum disorder and disruptive behaviors. The manual is based on principles of applied behavior analysis and is designed for therapists to use with parents of children with autism spectrum disorder and co-occurring challenging behaviors, such as tantrums, noncompliance, difficulties with transitions, and aggression. A trained therapist utilizes the manual to guide the parent in applying techniques and tools to help manage the child’s challenging behaviors. The treatment includes 11 Core sessions, 7 Supplemental sessions, a home visit, and follow-up telephone booster sessions. Each of the sessions contains a therapist script, activity sheets, a parent handout, and treatment fidelity checklists. Additionally, accompanying each core session are video vignettes that the therapist uses to demonstrate concepts taught in the session. The videos include 30- to 60-second vignettes demonstrating common parenting mistakes as well as implementation (to varying degrees of success) of the strategies being taught. The treatment manual is designed to be delivered individually to parents in weekly outpatient visits. Parents are given homework assignments between sessions that focus on applying techniques to specific behaviors.

Risk of Second Seizure in Pediatric Patients With Idiopathic Autism

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (10) ◽  
pp. 876-879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asad A. Qadir ◽  
Emily Obringer ◽  
Joseph Hageman ◽  
Charles Marcuccilli
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Retrospective Review ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Seizure Recurrence ◽  
The University ◽  
Short Time

Purpose: Epilepsy is a comorbidity of idiopathic autism spectrum disorder. The aim was to characterize the risk and time of second seizure in children with idiopathic autism spectrum disorder. Methods: A retrospective review was performed at the University of Chicago and NorthShore University HealthSystem. Patients with idiopathic autism spectrum disorder, ≥1 seizure, and age 2 to 23 years were included. Results: 153 patients were included; 141 (92%) had a second seizure. The average age at first seizure was 7.14 years (median: 5.08 years) and 8.12 years (median: 7.3 years) at second seizure. Average time between first and second seizure was 7.68 months. Discussion: A high risk of seizure recurrence was found in this population. There was a short time to second seizure, with most having a recurrence within 1 year. These findings may be used to guide therapy in children with autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy.

scholarly journals Characterizing psychiatric comorbidity in children with autism spectrum disorder receiving publicly funded mental health services

Autism ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 938-952 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Brookman-Frazee ◽  
Nicole Stadnick ◽  
Colby Chlebowski ◽  
Mary Baker-Ericzén ◽  
William Ganger
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Psychiatric Comorbidity ◽  
Challenging Behaviors ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Publicly Funded ◽  
Oppositional Defiant ◽  
Mental Health Programs

Publicly funded mental health programs play a significant role in serving children with autism spectrum disorder. Understanding patterns of psychiatric comorbidity for this population within mental health settings is important to implement appropriately tailored interventions. This study (1) describes patterns of psychiatric comorbidity in children with autism spectrum disorder who present to mental health services with challenging behaviors and (2) identifies child characteristics associated with comorbid conditions. Data are drawn from baseline assessments from 201 children with autism spectrum disorder who participated in a community effectiveness trial across 29 publicly funded mental health programs. Non-autism spectrum disorder diagnoses were assessed using an adapted Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, parent version. Approximately 92% of children met criteria for at least one non-autism spectrum disorder diagnosis (78% attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, 58% oppositional defiant disorder, 56% anxiety, 30% mood). Logistic regression indicated that child gender and clinical characteristics were differentially associated with meeting criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, an anxiety, or a mood disorder. Exploratory analyses supported a link between challenging behaviors and mood disorder symptoms and revealed high prevalence of these symptoms in this autism spectrum disorder population. Findings provide direction for tailoring intervention to address a broad range of clinical issues for youth with autism spectrum disorder served in mental health settings.

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