Autism Spectrum Disorder and Amplified Pain

Overview

Journal Case Rep Psychiatry

Publisher Wiley

Specialty Psychiatry

Date 2015 Jun 12

PMID 26064754

Citations 16

Authors

Ciaran Clarke

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Among the core features of ASD, altered sensitivities in all modalities have been accorded increasing importance. Heightened sensitivity to pain and unusual expressions of and reaction to pain have not hitherto been widely recognised as a presenting feature of ASD in general paediatrics. Failure to recognise ASD as a common cause of pain can lead to late diagnosis, inappropriate treatment, distress, and further disability. Two cases are presented which illustrate the late presentation of Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asperger's Syndrome subtype) with chronic unusual pain. Conclusion. Pain in autism can be atypical in its experience and expression and for this reason may go unrecognised by physicians treating chronic pain disorders.

Citing Articles

Pain communication in children with autism spectrum disorder: A scoping review.

Johnson E, van Zijl K, Kuyler A Paediatr Neonatal Pain. 2023; 5(4):127-141.

PMID: 38149220 PMC: 10749405. DOI: 10.1002/pne2.12115.

The possible role of sodium leakage channel localization factor-1 in the pathophysiology and severity of autism spectrum disorders.

Al-Mazidi S, Al-Ayadhi L, Alqahtany F, Abualnaja A, AlZarroug A, Alharbi T Sci Rep. 2023; 13(1):9747.

PMID: 37328585 PMC: 10275888. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36953-0.

Shank2 identifies a subset of glycinergic neurons involved in altered nociception in an autism model.

Heuvel F, Alami N, Aousji O, Pogatzki-Zahn E, Zahn P, Wilhelm H Mol Autism. 2023; 14(1):21.

PMID: 37316943 PMC: 10265811. DOI: 10.1186/s13229-023-00552-7.

Maternal autistic traits and antenatal pain by cross-sectional analysis of the Japan Environment and Children's Study.

Yamada K, Kimura T, Cui M, Tanaka E, Kubota Y, Ikehara S Sci Rep. 2023; 13(1):6068.

PMID: 37055438 PMC: 10101964. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32945-2.

The Current View on the Paradox of Pain in Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Bogdanova O, Bogdanov V, Pizano A, Bouvard M, Cazalets J, Mellen N Front Psychiatry. 2022; 13:910824.

PMID: 35935443 PMC: 9352888. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.910824.

References

Tordjman S, Anderson G, Botbol M, Brailly-Tabard S, Perez-Diaz F, Graignic R . Pain reactivity and plasma beta-endorphin in children and adolescents with autistic disorder. PLoS One. 2009; 4(8):e5289. PMC: 2728512. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005289. View

Bursch B, Ingman K, Vitti L, Hyman P, Zeltzer L . Chronic pain in individuals with previously undiagnosed autistic spectrum disorders. J Pain. 2004; 5(5):290-5. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2004.04.004. View

Wing L, Leekam S, Libby S, Gould J, Larcombe M . The Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders: background, inter-rater reliability and clinical use. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2002; 43(3):307-25. DOI: 10.1111/1469-7610.00023. View

Davidovitch M, Hemo B, Manning-Courtney P, Fombonne E . Prevalence and incidence of autism spectrum disorder in an Israeli population. J Autism Dev Disord. 2012; 43(4):785-93. DOI: 10.1007/s10803-012-1611-z. View

Gillberg C, Rastam M, Wentz E . The Asperger Syndrome (and high-functioning autism) Diagnostic Interview (ASDI): a preliminary study of a new structured clinical interview. Autism. 2001; 5(1):57-66. DOI: 10.1177/1362361301005001006. View

Mandell D, Novak M, Zubritsky C . Factors associated with age of diagnosis among children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics. 2005; 116(6):1480-6. PMC: 2861294. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2005-0185. View

Mieres A, Smallwood V, Nicholson S . Retrospective case report: evaluation of pain in a child with pervasive developmental disorder. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2011; 23(2):194-200. DOI: 10.1097/PEP.0b013e318218f35f. View

Grodberg D, Weinger P, Kolevzon A, Soorya L, Buxbaum J . Brief report: the Autism Mental Status Examination: development of a brief autism-focused exam. J Autism Dev Disord. 2011; 42(3):455-9. DOI: 10.1007/s10803-011-1255-4. View

Mattila M, Kielinen M, Linna S, Jussila K, Ebeling H, Bloigu R . Autism spectrum disorders according to DSM-IV-TR and comparison with DSM-5 draft criteria: an epidemiological study. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2011; 50(6):583-592.e11. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2011.04.001. View

10.

Messmer R, Nader R, Craig K . Brief report: judging pain intensity in children with autism undergoing venepuncture: the influence of facial activity. J Autism Dev Disord. 2007; 38(7):1391-4. DOI: 10.1007/s10803-007-0511-0. View

11.

Kim Y, Leventhal B, Koh Y, Fombonne E, Laska E, Lim E . Prevalence of autism spectrum disorders in a total population sample. Am J Psychiatry. 2011; 168(9):904-12. DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2011.10101532. View

12.

Panksepp J . Affective consciousness: Core emotional feelings in animals and humans. Conscious Cogn. 2005; 14(1):30-80. DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2004.10.004. View

13.

Allely C . Pain sensitivity and observer perception of pain in individuals with autistic spectrum disorder. ScientificWorldJournal. 2013; 2013:916178. PMC: 3697411. DOI: 10.1155/2013/916178. View

14.

Parker J, Belew J . Qualitative evaluation of a pain intensity screen for children with severe neurodevelopmental disabilities. Pain Manag Nurs. 2013; 14(4):e115-e123. DOI: 10.1016/j.pmn.2011.08.009. View

15.

Baranek G, David F, Poe M, Stone W, Watson L . Sensory Experiences Questionnaire: discriminating sensory features in young children with autism, developmental delays, and typical development. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2006; 47(6):591-601. DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2005.01546.x. View

16.

Thioux M, Keysers C . Empathy: shared circuits and their dysfunctions. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2011; 12(4):546-52. PMC: 3181990. View