Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026
05:32
Comparing Eye-tracking Data of Children with High-functioning ASD, Comorbid ADHD, and of a Control Watching Social Videos
Published on: December 7, 2018
Aggression in low functioning children and adolescents with autistic disorder
Guillaume Bronsard1, Michel Botbol, Sylvie Tordjman
1Maison Départementale de l'Adolescent et Centre Médico-Psycho-Pédagogique, Conseil Général des Bouches-du-Rhône, Laboratoire de Santé Publique EA3279 de la Faculté de Médecine de la Timone, Marseille, France.
Plos One
|January 5, 2011
Summary
Aggressive behaviors, specifically other-injurious behaviors (OIB), are more frequent in children with autism during stressful events like blood draws. Environmental factors and observer perception significantly influence the assessment and management of OIB in autistic individuals.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Aggression and violence are frequently reported in children and adolescents with autistic disorder, but empirical data remain limited.
- Previous observations of aggression in autism have largely relied on anecdotal reports.
- This study aimed to characterize aggressive behaviors in a large cohort of individuals with autism across different settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize and understand the different types of aggressive behaviors displayed by individuals with autism.
- To compare the frequency and nature of aggressive behaviors in autistic individuals versus typically developing controls.
- To explore the influence of observational situations and environmental factors on aggressive behaviors.
Main Methods:
- The study included 74 children and adolescents with autism and 115 typically developing controls, matched for sex, age, and pubertal stage.
- Other-Injurious Behaviors (OIB) were assessed in three distinct observational situations: home, day-care, and during a blood draw.
- Validated scales were used to assess OIB, and concurrent behaviors preceding OIB were recorded.
Main Results:
- Individuals with autism exhibited significantly higher frequencies of OIB during blood drawing compared to controls (23% vs. 0%).
- Parental observation reported fewer OIB compared to caregiver observations (34% vs. 58%).
- Anxiety-related behaviors and excitation were the most frequent concurrent behaviors preceding OIB in individuals with autism.
Conclusions:
- Stressful situations, like blood draws, may trigger OIB in individuals with autism as a stress-release mechanism.
- Typically developing individuals tend to use cognitive and communication strategies to manage stress.
- Environmental context and observer perception play a crucial role in assessing OIB and developing effective therapeutic interventions for autism.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
01:28Conduct Disorder
Conduct disorder is a complex mental health diagnosis characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that violates societal norms, the rights of others, or age-appropriate rules. The diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder require the presence of at least three problematic behaviors within the past 12 months, with at least one occurring in the past six months. These behaviors are grouped into four categories: aggression toward people and animals; destruction of property;...
01:30Oppositional Defiant Disorder
A persistent pattern of angry or irritable mood, defiant behavior, or vindictiveness characterizes Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Symptoms must occur over at least six months, involve interactions with individuals beyond siblings, and meet specific diagnostic criteria to be clinically significant. The disorder affects emotional regulation, social interactions, and behavior, often manifesting early in life and influencing long-term development and functioning.
Diagnostic Criteria and...
Diagnostic Criteria and...
01:47Aggression
Humans engage in aggression when they seek to cause harm or pain to another person. Aggression takes two forms depending on one’s motives: hostile or instrumental. Hostile aggression is motivated by feelings of anger with intent to cause pain; a fight in a bar with a stranger is an example of hostile aggression. In contrast, instrumental aggression is motivated by achieving a goal and does not necessarily involve intent to cause pain (Berkowitz, 1993); a contract killer who murders for hire...
02:04Bullying
A modern form of aggression is bullying. As you learn in your study of child development, socializing and playing with other children is beneficial for children’s psychological development. However, as you may have experienced as a child, not all play behavior has positive outcomes. Some children are aggressive and want to play roughly. Other children are selfish and do not want to share toys. One form of negative social interactions among children that has become a national concern is bullying.
01:26Modeling in Therapy
Modeling, a key technique in therapy, uses observational learning to help clients acquire and practice new skills by watching therapists demonstrate desired behaviors. This approach, rooted in Albert Bandura's concept of vicarious learning, plays a significant role in therapeutic interventions for various psychological conditions, including social anxiety, ADHD, and depression.
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in situations...
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in situations...