Anger, Aggression and Autism

Causes

We do not know what causes aggression in people on the autism spectrum.

It may be that " ... for some people with Asperger’s syndrome, there appears to be a faulty emotion regulation or control mechanism for expressing anger." (Attwood, 2006). This means they are more likely to use aggression or violence as a way of dealing with their anger.

For others, aggression may be a way of controlling their circumstances and experiences. "For example, they may threaten to hurt their mother if she insists on their going to school; or they may use violence to make her buy something associated with their special interest." (Attwood, 2006).

For others, aggression can be a way to make other people stop what they are doing – teasing or bullying – or simply a way to make them go away.

It is also possible that in some people with autism the aggression is masking a mood disorder, such as clinical depression.

Updated

25 Mar 2019