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Cited by 48Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchBehavioral and Psychological StudiesChild Nutrition and Feeding Issues

The role of physiological arousal in the management of challenging behaviours in individuals with autistic spectrum disorders

McDonnell, Andrew, McCreadie, Michael, Mills, Richard, Deveau, Roy, Anker, Regine, Hayden, Judy·2015·Research in Developmental Disabilities
DOI 10.1016/j.ridd.2014.09.012
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Abstract

Challenging behaviours restrict opportunities and choices for people with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) and frequently lead to inappropriate and costly service interventions. Managing challenging behaviours of people with autism is an important area of research. This paper examines some of the evidence for the role of physiological arousal influencing these behaviours. Evidence from the emerging literature about sensory differences is examined. It is proposed that sensory reactivity is associated with hyperarousal; catatonic type behaviours are associated with low levels of reactivity (hypoarousal). A low arousal approach is proposed as a generalised strategy to managing challenging behaviours with ASD. The use of non-contingent reinforcement and antecedent control strategies are recommended for use with challenging behaviours which have a sensory component. Examples are provided to illustrate the approach. The implications of arousal and the use of physical interventions are discussed. It is proposed that arousal is a construct which has significant heuristic value for researchers and practitioners.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.ridd.2014.09.012

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  • This commonly leads to a misfocus on 'challenging behaviour' - particularly for autistic people who do not use speech to communicate, or those with co-occurring intellectual disabilities.

    “This commonly leads to a misfocus on 'challenging behaviour' - particularly for autistic people who do not use speech to communicate, or those with co-occurring intellectual disabilities (McDonnell et al, 2015).”

    From Autistic SPACE: a novel framework for meeting the needs of autistic people in healthcare settings (2023) · cites this paper as McDonnell et al, 2015

  • Acceptance leads to appropriate accommodations, including understanding that so called 'challenging behaviour' is usually a response to autistic needs not being adequately met.

    “Acceptance leads to appropriate accommodations, including understanding that so called 'challenging behaviour' is usually a response to autistic needs not being adequately met (McDonnell et al, 2015).”

    From Autistic SPACE: a novel framework for meeting the needs of autistic people in healthcare settings (2023) · cites this paper as McDonnell et al, 2015

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Related

Authors
McDonnell, A., McCreadie, M., Mills, R., Deveau, R., Anker, R., & Hayden, J.
Affiliations
  • Bond University (AU)
  • University of Kent (GB)
Corresponding author
Deveau, Roy
ORCID
Deveau, Roy
Venue
Research in Developmental Disabilities
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2015-01
Volume
36
Pages
311-322
ISSN
0891-4222 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.ridd.2014.09.012
OpenAlex
W1994565927
Cited by
48
References
128
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 2
FWCI
0.16
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Research in Developmental Disabilities (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Behavioral and Psychological Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
Keywords
physiological arousal, behavioral problems, autism spectrum disorder, sensory reactivity, hyperarousal, hypoarousal, noncontingent reinforcement, antecedent control, physical interventions, sensory differences

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