Les modes d'expression de la douleur chez l'enfant autiste: Étude comparée

Abstract

Autistic children are sometimes considered to be insensitive to painful tactile stimulations. In our research, 14 children with autism were compared to 14 children with a typical development as regards the reactivity to a painful stimulation on their hand (pinching). Groups were matched on developmental age. Children with autism showed a particular pain reactivity expression (motor and sound reactions) which seems to be independent of developmental age. However, unlike the children with normal development, their reactivity seems to decrease from 3 years on. Results are discussed in terms of the social referencing theory.