Autonomic Arousal in Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder: Individual Differences and the Role of Context

The autonomic nervous system plays a key role in the production of our observable emotional reactions, such as a racing heart or sweaty palms. Recent research findings are pointing to the idea that individuals with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have disturbances in their autonomic nervous system that cause difficulties in autonomic moderation. It is likely that some of the core symptoms of autism (e.g., emotion regulation and stereotyped, repetitive behaviours) can be explained by these difficulties. The proposed study will look at autonomic responses to picture stimuli in child and adolescent participants with and without an ASD across various time points. It is hypothesized that youth with ASD will be distinguished from control participants in their patterns of autonomic arousal. Furthermore, it is anticipated that patterns of arousal across time will be related to temperament profiles and ASD characteristics (e.g., repetitive and self-stimulatory behaviours). From a treatment perspective, it is important to understand the relationship between autonomic arousal and behaviours across the autism spectrum. For example, some interventions target the reduction of repetitive and self-stimulatory behaviours. However, these behaviours may be useful in moderating arousal, and treatment could target replacement, as opposed to reduction, of these behaviours with more appropriate alternatives in regulating arousal. By expanding upon the research that investigates autonomic arousal in ASD, it is anticipated that more informed treatment plans can be incorporated in to our healthcare system. This will ultimately lead to more effective interventions and an overall improved state of health and well-being for individuals living with an ASD.