Exploration of the correlation between autism spectrum disorder symptomology and tantrum behaviors

• Tantrum behaviors are common referral sources for children.
• Impaired social and communication abilities may moderate tantrum behaviors.
• Significant increases in tantrum behaviors were observed for ASD populations.
• Tantrum behaviors increase as the presence of ASD symptomology increases.

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the relationship between the presence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) symptoms and tantrum behaviors in 598 children ranging in age from two to sixteen years old who meet cutoffs for ASD. Diagnostic categories created in the current study were provided by the Autism Spectrum Disorder – Diagnostic Child Version (ASD-DC). Initial analysis replicated previous research revealing significant differences in the expression of tantrum behavior between the ASD, Atypical, and Normal groups. Pearson Bivariate correlations were then computed for each individual's ASD symptom score and their total score on the Tantrum behavior subscale. Follow-up correlations found significant positive correlations between individual's in the Atypical, Normal, and ASD categories and their scores for the Tantrum behavior subscale of the Autism Spectrum Disorders – Comorbidity for Children (ASD-CC). Post hoc analyses revealed that the correlation between ASD symptomology and tantrum behaviors in the Normal group was significantly different when compared to children in the ASD group.