Autonomic Response in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Relationship to Social and Cognitive Functioning

Authors

Michelle A Patriquin
Elizabeth M Hartwig
Bruce H Friedman
Stephen W Porges
Angela Scarpa

Language

English

Publication Date

7-1-2019

Journal

Biological Psychology

DOI

10.1016/j.biopsycho.2019.05.004

PMID

31078720

Abstract

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may exhibit chronic autonomic nervous system (ANS) hyperarousal (e.g., lower respiratory sinus arrhythmia and higher heart rate) compared to their typically developing peers, reflecting a chronic biological threat response. The sustained nature of this cardiac threat suggests tonic nervous system perception of threat in safe contexts. Herein, the cardiac literature in adult and child populations with ASD is reviewed and placed within a continuum of functioning in order to inform the relationship between cardiac response and functioning in ASD. Findings from this review support the relationship between chronic autonomic hyperarousal and emotional and behavioral difficulties observed in individuals with ASD.

Keywords

Adult, Arousal, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Autonomic Nervous System, Case-Control Studies, Child, Cognition, Emotions, Female, Heart Rate, Humans, Male, Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia, Social Behavior, Autism spectrum disorder, Cardiac, Development, Respiratory sinus arrhythmia, Social

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Patriquin, Michelle A; Hartwig, Elizabeth M; Friedman, Bruce H; et al., "Autonomic Response in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Relationship to Social and Cognitive Functioning" (2019). Staff and Researcher Publications. 65.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/clinic_pub/65