Cross cultural differences in challenging behaviors of children with autism spectrum disorders: An international examination between Israel, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America

Challenging behaviors are deemed extremely common within the autism spectrum disorders (ASD) population. Numerous factors and their effects upon the presence and severity of challenging behaviors within this population have been investigated. However, there has been limited research to investigate the effects of cultural differences on challenging behaviors. The aim of the current study was to examine differences between cultures in the reported presence and severity of a multitude of challenging behaviors commonly displayed by children with ASD. The Autism Spectrum Disorders-Behavior Problems for Children was used to assess possible differences between the United States and three other countries (South Korea, Israel, and the United Kingdom). Relatively few differences were found between the United States and both South Korea and Israel, with the United States endorsing a higher presence and severity on items that differed. In contrast, the United States and the United Kingdom differed on nearly half of the behavior items assessed with the United Kingdom reporting greater endorsements. The potential implications of these results are discussed.

► Challenging behaviors (CB) are common in individuals with ASD world-wide.
► The goal of the current study was to find whether there were differences in presentation of CB between the United States (US) and three other countries (South Korea, Israel, and the United Kingdom).
► Few differences were found between the US and both South Korea and Israel, but when they did exist, the US exhibited more CB.
► The United Kingdom and the US differed on many CB, with the United Kingdom exhibiting more CB.
► The potential implications of these results are discussed.