Research on Aggression in Autism
A recent study of aggression in autism showed some interesting trends in terms of risk factors, which may
give some insight into challenging behaviors overall.
■ There is a much higher rate of aggression towards caregivers in autism than in the general population
and in others with intellectual disabilities.
■ Unlike the risk factors in a typical population, aggression was equally common in girls as boys with
autism. Several other usual risk factors (lower IQ, lower parental education, less language ability)
were not associated with greater risk in autism.
■ The research also showed that just like in the typical population, age was a risk factor, with
higher levels of aggression occurring at younger ages, which may suggest that learning and
growth may help behaviors improve.
■ Those children with autism at highest risk of aggression exhibited the following characteristics:
1. More repetitive behaviors, especially self-injurious or ritualistic behaviors, or
extreme resistance to change
2. More severe autistic social impairment
These results show that core symptoms of autism areassociated with the risk of aggression.
Perhaps underlying conditions such as a lack of social understanding
or
the discomfort associated with breaking a routine might promote aggressive behavior.
the discomfort associated with breaking a routine might promote aggressive behavior.
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