![]() There is also evidence that individuals with ASD have abnormal preferences for interpersonal distance (IPD), including both standing too close or preferring more distance relative to TD peers ( Kennedy and Adolphs, 2014 Lough et al., 2015 Perry et al., 2015). There is also significant prevalence of sensory dysfunction in ASD ( Rogers et al., 2003 Kern et al., 2006 Tomchek and Dunn, 2007 Ben-Sasson et al., 2009), and these hyper- and/or hypo- sensory sensitivities may further contribute to atypical patterns of social interaction.Ĭompared to typically developing (TD) peers, children with ASD tend to interact less with other children ( Corbett et al., 2010, 2012) and engage in less cooperative play ( Corbett et al., 2014b), instead showing a preference to engage in self-play ( Humphrey and Symes, 2011). It may be this exaggerated stress response that drives, in part, reductions in social engagement. For example, there is considerable evidence that social interactions are highly stressful for children with ASD ( Lopata et al., 2008 Corbett et al., 2010). ![]() Underlying physiological factors may also impact the extent to which individuals with ASD engage with others in social situations. Impaired social communication is a primary characteristic of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) ( American Psychiatric Association, 2013) and may be the result of limitations in social cognition (e.g., Baron-Cohen, 1995) or social motivation ( Chevallier et al., 2012). Results are discussed in a broader context, emphasizing the need to examine relationships between social, behavioral, and physiological profiles in ASD to enhance understanding and improve treatments aimed at ameliorating stress and sensory dysfunction, while enhancing social skills. ![]() Furthermore, diagnosis was a significant moderator of the relation between cortisol and SSP, at multiple time points during the PIP ( p < 0.05).Ĭonclusions: The current study extends previous findings by showing that higher physiological arousal during play is associated with heightened sensory sensitivity and a pattern of increased stress in various contexts. Cortisol during play was negatively correlated with scores on the SSP ( r = −0.242, p = 0.03), and positively correlated with SSS ( r = 0.273, p = 0.02) indicating that higher cortisol was associated with greater sensory sensitivity (lower SSP reflects more impairment) and enhanced stress in various contexts (higher SSS reflects more stress). Results: Controlling for baseline cortisol values, children with ASD showed significantly higher cortisol levels than TD peers, in response to the PIP. Statistical analyses included t-tests and ANCOVA models to examine between-group differences in cortisol and play Pearson correlations to determine relations between cortisol, play, and questionnaire scores and moderation analyses to investigate interactions among variables. Parents completed questionnaires pertaining to child stress ( Stress Survey Schedule) and sensory sensitivity ( Short Sensory Profile). Salivary cortisol was collected before and after the 20 min PIP. Children participated in the peer interaction paradigm (PIP), an ecologically valid protocol that simulates real-world social interaction. Methods: Participants included 80 children (40 ASD) between 8 and 12 years. The current study investigated between-group differences in stress response to peer interaction, as well as the role of sensory sensitivity. Heightened sensory sensitivity may contribute to maladaptive patterns of stress and anxiety. Previous research shows that youth with ASD exhibit greater physiological stress response during peer interaction, compared to typically developing (TD) peers. 3Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USAīackground: For many children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), social interactions can be stressful.2Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Neuroscience Graduate Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
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