Examination of aggression and self-injury in children with autism spectrum disorders and serious behavioral problems

Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2014 Jan;23(1):57-72. doi: 10.1016/j.chc.2013.08.002.

Abstract

This study identified subtypes of aggression in a sample of 206 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who participated in 2 risperidone trials. The narratives were derived from a parent interview about each child's 2 most pressing problems. Five subtypes of aggression emerged: hot aggression only, cold aggression only, self-injurious behavior (SIB) only, aggression and SIB, and nonaggressive. All groups showed a high rate of positive response to risperidone with no differences across subtypes. These study findings extend understanding of aggression in ASD and may be useful to guide further study on biological mechanisms and individualized treatment in ASD.

Keywords: Aggression; Autism; Disruptive behavior; Self-injury.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Aggression / classification*
  • Aggression / drug effects
  • Aggression / psychology
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Child
  • Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / drug therapy
  • Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / psychology*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intelligence Tests
  • Male
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Risperidone / therapeutic use
  • Self-Injurious Behavior / classification
  • Self-Injurious Behavior / drug therapy
  • Self-Injurious Behavior / psychology
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Risperidone