Poster #48 - Longitudinal Patterns of Self-Regulation and Maladaptive Behaviors in Children with ASD

• In Event: 3-003 - Poster Session 09
  In Poster Session: PS 09 Section - Developmental Disabilities

Integrative Statement

Introduction
Compliance is defined as the “ability to resist tempting impulses, control frustration, delay gratification and complete requested actions” (Kochanska, 1993). Compliance with parental demands is considered a developmental hallmark that is indicative of the general capacity to observe societal standards of conduct (Kuczynski & Kochanska, 1990). In typically developing (TD) children, there is a well-established link between externalizing behaviors and decreased compliance (Eisenberg et al., 2000). In addition, there is evidence that poor self-regulatory abilities are predictive of internalizing and externalizing behaviors in this population (Mazefsky et al., 2014). Less is known about the developmental correlates and predictors of compliance in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Despite this gap in knowledge, the disorder is often characterized by difficulties in self-regulation and increased problem behaviors.

Aims
This study aims to explore the relationship between compliance to parental demands during toddlerhood and maladaptive behaviors at a 6-month and a 6-year follow-up for 11 children with ASD.

Methods
Data from 11 children with ASD (24 – 36 months at entry) were analyzed at three time points: entry, 6-months and 6-year follow-up. At entry, videos of parent-child dyads completing a short clean-up task were coded in 10-second epochs for children’s compliance to their parents’ requests (Reliability: α > 0.80). Children’s comorbidities were measured at the 6-month follow-up using the Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (ITSEA; Carter &Briggs-Gowan, 1999) and at the 6-year follow-up using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL; Achenbach & Rescorla, 2001). Two groups, a high-compliance group and a low-compliance group, were created by splitting the sample based on whether children were above or below the median non-compliance score at Entry. The relationship between children’s compliance at Entry and clinically elevated maladaptive behaviors over time was determined by analyzing group differences on ITSEA and CBCL scores at the two follow-up timepoints.

Results
Five of the eleven children were identified as belonging to the low compliance group, falling above the median non-compliance rate (60% non-compliance). In comparison to the high compliance group, the low compliance group had elevated ITSEA externalizing scores (Cohen’s d = 0.73), higher ITSEA dysregulation scores (Cohen’s d = .22), but similar ITSEA internalizing scores (Cohen’s d =.05) at the 6-month follow-up. Children in the low compliance group showed elevated CBCL total score in comparison to the high compliance group (Cohen’s d = 0.63) at the 6-year follow-up as well.

Conclusions
This study highlights the relationship between compliance in toddlerhood and regulation and problem behaviors in early childhood. Descriptive analysis of this longitudinal data indicates stability in developmental trajectories relating to behavior regulation and maladaptive behaviors. This pattern indicates the need for early intervention to facilitate adaptive developmental pathways.

Authors

• Amanda Dimachkie, University of California, Los Angeles
  Presenting Author

• Kyle Sterrett, University of California, Los Angeles
  Non-Presenting Author