Physiological and behavioral stress and anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorders during routine oral care.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) commonly exhibit uncooperative behaviors which impede oral care. Previous studies have utilized dentist-report measures of uncooperative behaviors in children with ASD but none have utilized an objective measure of children's behavior or a physiological measure of distress. This study investigated behavioral and physiological distress in children with ASD during routine oral care and examined factors associated with this distress.

Methods

Participants were 44 children (n=22 typical, n=22 ASD) aged 6-12 receiving routine dental cleanings. Behavioral and physiological measures of stress and anxiety were collected during dental cleanings.

Results

Children with ASD exhibited greater distress, compared to the typical

SUBMITTER: Stein LI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4119730 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature