Early Childhood Aggression in Autistic and Non-Autistic Preschoolers: Prevalence, Topography, and Relationship to Emotional Reactivity.

Journal: JAACAP open
Published Date:

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Despite heightened rates of aggressive behaviors among older autistic youth relative to non-autistic peers, less is known about these behaviors during early childhood. This study included 3 objectives to address this gap: (1) to establish the prevalence and topography (frequency, severity, type, context) of aggressive behaviors in a large sample of preschool-aged children using a developmentally sensitive parent-report measure; (2) to identify clinical correlates of aggression; and (3) to investigate whether different subgroups of autistic children can be identified based on their profiles of aggression, emotional reactivity, and autism traits.

Authors

  • Shalini Sivathasan
    University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
  • Safaa Eldeeb
    University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
  • Jessie B Northrup
    University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
  • Ligia Antezana
    University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
  • Amy Ionadi
    University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
  • Lauren S Wakschlag
    Feinberg School of Medicine and Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois.
  • Carla A Mazefsky
    University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Keywords

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