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Piloting a Battery to Evaluate Parasympathetic Reactivity and Externalizing Behaviors during Early Childhood in Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • +2
  • Yael Braverman,
  • Madison Surmacz,
  • Gina Schnur,
  • Nasim Sheikhi,
  • Susan Faja
Yael Braverman
Boston Children's Hospital
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Madison Surmacz
Boston Children's Hospital
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Gina Schnur
Boston Children's Hospital
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Nasim Sheikhi
Northeastern University - Boston Campus
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Susan Faja
Boston Children's Hospital

Corresponding Author:susan.faja@childrens.harvard.edu

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Abstract

Background Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia Reactivity (RSA-R) correlates both positively and negatively with externalizing behavior in autistic individuals. These inconsistencies may result from task-based differences. Furthermore, RSA-R is understudied in young autistic children, despite particular challenges with externalizing behavior. This pilot study measured RSA-R in 4-to 6-year-olds, across two time-points, using four validated tasks with matched baseline and challenge periods. Methods RSA and parent-reported externalizing behavior were collected from 17 children (Mage=5.57 years). RSA-R was measured by the difference score of the challenge task minus its corresponding comparison task. Correlations were computed to evaluate relationships between RSA-R and behavior. Results RSA was reliably measured for 3/4 tasks (.694 ≤ ICCs ≤ .896). Only RSA-R during a social task correlated with externalizing behavior. These results support using a battery that measures a range of challenges, differing in social demands, to characterize how arousal contributes to emotion regulation demands among young autistic children.
23 Aug 2023Submitted to Infant and Child Development: prenatal, childhood, adolescence, emerging adulthood
23 Aug 2023Submission Checks Completed
23 Aug 2023Assigned to Editor
28 Aug 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
13 Nov 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
26 Feb 20241st Revision Received
02 Mar 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned