Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
370118 Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders 2013 11 Pages PDF
Abstract

Aggression is a clinically significant problem for many children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, there have been few large-scale studies addressing this issue. The current study examined the prevalence and correlates of physical aggression in a sample of 1584 children and adolescents with ASD enrolled in the Autism Treatment Network. The prevalence of aggression was 53%, with highest prevalence among young children. Aggression was significantly associated with a number of clinical features, including self-injury, sleep problems, sensory problems, GI problems, communication and social functioning. In multivariate models, self-injury, sleep problems, and sensory problems were most strongly associated with aggression. The results indicate that aggression is markedly prevalent, and clinical implications and directions for future research are discussed.

► Prevalence and correlates of aggression were examined in 1584 children and adolescents with ASD. ► The prevalence of physical aggression was 53% across the entire sample. ► Aggression prevalence was highest in young children. ► Self-injury, sleep problems and sensory problems were most strongly associated with aggression.

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