A longitudinal investigation of aggression and social skills in autistic youth

Autism is characterized by differences in social functioning and many autistic individuals exhibit co-occurring features, such as aggression. While previous research has examined correlations between aggression and social skills cross sectionally, research is needed to better understand the interrelations between these behaviors over time.

In a sample of 280 autistic children (ages 6-11 years), parallel process growth modeling and regression were used to examine changes in social skills and aggression across three time points, as well as the interrelations between social skills and aggression. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was also conducted on the measure of aggression (the Aberrant Behavior Checklist), which yielded separate factors for aggression towards others and self-injurious behaviors (SIB).

Over time, aggression towards others decreased and social skills improved, but SIB did not change. While initial levels of social skills, aggression towards others, and SIB were inter-related, there were no significant relations between initial scores and subsequent changes in any domain.

Interventions for aggression in school-aged autistic children should consider aggression towards others, SIB, and social skills as separate targets, as changes in one domain did not appear to be related to changes in other domains.