Emotional Dysregulation in Preschoolers with Autism
Author Information
Author(s): Conti Eugenia, Calderoni Sara, Guerrera Silvia, Guzzetta Andrea, Palermo Giuseppina, De Giacomo Andrea, Tancredi Raffaella, Vicari Stefano, Turi Marco
Primary Institution: IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
Hypothesis
What is the prevalence of emotional dysregulation among autistic preschoolers and how do gender and intellectual disability impact this profile?
Conclusion
The study found that 30% of preschoolers with autism displayed significant emotional dysregulation, highlighting the need for early interventions.
Supporting Evidence
- 30% of the children displayed a severe-to-moderate emotional dysregulation profile.
- Males with emotional dysregulation exhibited greater emotional reactivity than females.
- No significant relationships were found between emotional dysregulation and age, autism severity, or intellectual disability.
Takeaway
This study looked at young children with autism and found that many of them have trouble managing their emotions, which can make things harder for them.
Methodology
Data were collected from three children's research hospitals in Italy using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) completed by parents.
Potential Biases
Potential parental bias in reporting child behaviors may affect the reliability of the data.
Limitations
The study lacked a standardized clinical ED assessment protocol and did not include adaptive functioning data for all patients.
Participant Demographics
The sample included 825 preschoolers diagnosed with ASD, aged 18 to 60 months, with 17% being female.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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