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ERIC Number: EJ1285208
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Feb
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: N/A
Gastrointestinal Problems Are Associated with Increased Repetitive Behaviors but Not Social Communication Difficulties in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Chakraborty, Payal; Carpenter, Kimberly L. H.; Major, Samantha; Deaver, Megan; Vermeer, Saritha; Herold, Brianna; Franz, Lauren; Howard, Jill; Dawson, Geraldine
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v25 n2 p405-415 Feb 2021
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder are more likely than typically developing individuals to experience a range of gastrointestinal abnormalities, including chronic diarrhea, constipation, food sensitivities, and abdominal pain. These gastrointestinal symptoms have been associated with higher levels of irritability and aggressive behavior, but less is known about their relationship with core autism spectrum disorder symptoms. We investigated the relationship between autism spectrum disorder and gastrointestinal symptom severity while accounting for three associated behavioral symptom domains (Irritability, Aggressiveness, and Specific Fears), in a sample of 176 children (140 males and 36 females) ages 2-7 years old with autism spectrum disorder. Most participants had at least one reported gastrointestinal symptom (93.2%) and had more than one gastrointestinal symptom (88.1%). After accounting for each associated behavioral symptom domain, repetitive behaviors and stereotypies were positively associated with gastrointestinal symptom severity. Social and communication difficulties were not significantly associated with gastrointestinal symptom severity after accounting for associated behavioral symptoms. Our findings replicate a previously described association between irritability and aggression and gastrointestinal symptoms. Furthermore, gastrointestinal symptom severity is associated with repetitive behaviors, a subset of core autism spectrum disorder symptoms. This suggests that gastrointestinal symptoms may exacerbate repetitive behaviors, or vice versa, independent from other associated behavioral symptoms.
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2814
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: North Carolina
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule; Mullen Scales of Early Learning; Aberrant Behavior Checklist; Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A