Physiologic Arousal to Social Stress in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Pilot Study

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  • Additional Information
    • Availability:
      Elsevier. 6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32887-4800. Tel: 877-839-7126; Tel: 407-345-4020; Fax: 407-363-1354; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: http://www.elsevier.com
    • Peer Reviewed:
      Y
    • Source:
      7
    • Subject Terms:
      Autism; Stress Variables; Pervasive Developmental Disorders; Children; Comparative Analysis; Metabolism
    • Accession Number:
      10.1016/j.rasd.2011.04.003
    • ISSN:
      1750-9467
    • Abstract:
      Little is known about arousal to socially stressful situations in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. This preliminary study investigates physiologic arousal in children with high functioning autism (HFA, n = 19) compared to a comparison group (n = 11) before, during, and after the Trier Social Stress Test. The HFA group was more likely to have a decrease in salivary cortisol following the stressor, while the comparison group was more likely to have an increase (p = 0.02). However, there was no difference in electrodermal activity, a measure of sympathetic arousal, or vagal tone, a measure of parasympathetic activity, between groups. These findings implicate a differential neuroendocrine response to social stress in children with HFA despite similar sympathetic and parasympathetic responses during a stressor. Further studies are required to substantiate this finding. (Contains 3 figures and 3 tables.)
    • Abstract:
      As Provided
    • Publication Date:
      2011
    • Accession Number:
      EJ947625