Journal article
Personal victimization experiences of autistic and non-autistic children
Molecular autism, v 13(1), 51
24 Dec 2022
PMID: 36566252
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Background: Autistic children report higher levels of bullying victimization than their non-autistic peers. However, autistic children with fewer social difficulties, as measured on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), are more likely to report being bullied. Autistic children with stronger social skills may not only be more likely to identify and report incidents of bullying, but they may also be more likely to interact with their non-autistic peers, increasing their likelihood of being victimized. Autistic girls may be especially at-risk of experiencing bullying victimization, as a growing body of research suggests that autistic girls demonstrate fewer social difficulties and are more socially motivated than autistic boys. Here, we explored reported problems with peers and bullying victimization among a carefully matched sample of autistic and non-autistic boys and girls. Qualitative methods were further implemented to gain a more holistic understanding of the social experiences of autistic boys and girls.Methods: This mixed-methods study analyzed the transcribed clinical evaluations of 58 autistic children (29 girls) matched to 42 non-autistic children (21 girls) on age and IQ. Within each diagnostic group, boys and girls were matched on ADOS severity score. We compared reported problems with peers and bullying victimization across sex and diagnosis. Among autistic children, we further examined whether ADOS social affect (SA), restricted repetitive behaviors, and severity scores predicted problems with peers and bullying victimization. We then identified themes related to personal experiences of victimization.Results: Autistic children were more likely than non-autistic children to have experienced bullying victimization, and autistic children with lower ADOS severity and SA scores were more likely to report having been bullied. While autistic boys and girls reported similar levels of bullying victimization, qualitative analyses revealed sex differences in the underlying causes of peer conflict.Limitations: This study was a secondary data analysis. The standardized set of questions on the ADOS limited the amount of information that children provided about their peer relationships, and variations in follow-up questions may have influenced children's responses.Conclusions: Although autism symptomatology places autistic children at greater risk for bullying victimization compared to their non-autistic peers, greater social challenges among autistic children are associated with lower rates of victimization. This study further highlights the importance of using mixed-methods approaches to discover nuances in the social experiences of autistic girls and boys that may become opportunities for support.
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Details
- Title
- Personal victimization experiences of autistic and non-autistic children
- Creators
- Natalie Libster - UCLA, Dept Educ, 457 Portola Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024 USAAzia Knox - Children's Hospital of PhiladelphiaSelin Engin - Center for Autism and Related DisordersDaniel Geschwind - Center for Autism and Related DisordersJulia Parish-Morris - Children's Hospital of PhiladelphiaConnie Kasari - Center for Autism and Related Disorders
- Publication Details
- Molecular autism, v 13(1), 51
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Number of pages
- 11
- Grant note
- NIMH; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) R01MH100027 / National Institute of Mental Health; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) UA3MC110055 / NIDCD; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH National Institute on Deafness & Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) P50HD055784 / National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH National Institute on Deafness & Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD); NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke (NINDS); NIH Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD) HD3548201 / NIH; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA MH57167; MH066469; 2R01MH100027-11 / NICH RO1HD65291; P50HD055784 / HRSA; United States Department of Health & Human Services; United States Health Resources & Service Administration (HRSA)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000903435600001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85144637869
- Other Identifier
- 991022160223104721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Genetics & Heredity
- Neurosciences