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On Terms: Is There a Problem With "Problem Behavior"? A Bibliometric Prevalence Analysis
Michael P Kranak1,2, Kimberly Cantu-Davis3, Leslie C Neely4
1Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA. kranak@oakland.edu.
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|February 19, 2026
Summary
Autism research shows increasing diversity in terms for behaviors targeted for reduction, with a shift from "problem behavior" to "challenging behavior." This evolution may stem from societal influences rather than empirical data.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral science
- Autism research
- Clinical psychology
Background:
- Language significantly influences autism interpretation and public understanding.
- Focus has been on identity-first vs. person-first language, neglecting terms for behaviors targeted for reduction.
- Understanding terminology shifts is crucial for consistent scientific and clinical communication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine changes in terminology for behaviors targeted for reduction in autism intervention single-case research over three decades.
- To quantify shifts in language use across journals and years.
- To evaluate the field's movement towards standardized terminology for behaviors targeted for reduction.
Main Methods:
- Bibliometric prevalence analysis of single-case experimental design (SCED) articles in six autism/problem behavior journals.
- Review of articles published in 1994, 2004, 2014, and 2024 (n=2326).
- Analysis of 189 articles measuring behaviors targeted for reduction using SCED and specific behavior-related terms, with descriptive and Kruskal-Wallis tests.
Main Results:
- Terminology diversity for behaviors targeted for reduction increased by 22% from 1994 to 2024.
- Use of "problem behavior" declined sharply, while "challenging behavior" increased markedly by 2024.
- Significant differences in terminology use were observed across years and journals.
Conclusions:
- Autism research exhibits increasing heterogeneity in behavior-related terminology, notably moving away from "problem behavior."
- These linguistic shifts may be influenced by editorial practices and sociocultural factors rather than empirical evidence.
- Enhanced transparency, consistency, and stakeholder input are recommended for clearer scientific and clinical communication in autism research.
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