Bio-behavioral Measure of Aversive Transitions in Children
Project Description:
Behavior problems during transitions are a major problem for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) causing parental stress, social isolation, and living restrictions. Little is known about the behavioral and neural processes that underlie and/or precede problematic transitions in ASD, however. The goal of this research is to determine whether children with ASD show increased autonomic arousal to transitions indicating that transitions are aversive. Autonomic arousal will be measured by pupilary response to visual stimuli that signal that the current activity has ended, and a new activity will begin (a transition), as well as what that activity will be. Two activities, a preferred activity (high reinforcement and low difficulty) and a less preferred activity (low reinforcement and high difficulty) will be used. In previous research we have demonstrated that with adults with developmental disabilities (DD) transitions from preferred to non-preferred activities but not other transitions are aversive and generate problem behaviors. This research will examine whether children with ASD will find all transitions are aversive or follow the typical pattern of finding only transitions from preferred to less preferred activities aversive.
Keyword(s):
Autism Spectrum Disorder, behavior problems, transitions
Core Function(s):
Performing Research or Evaluation
Area of Emphasis
Health-Related Activities
Target Audience:
Professionals and Para-Professionals
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote, Urban, Specific Groups
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Not Applicable
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
