Irritability in Pediatric Psychopathology

Irritability is a common presenting concern in youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This chapter provides an overview of research on irritability in ASD, including informative findings from the related fields of temperament and emotion regulation. The developmental course is described, highlighting irritability as one of the earliest phenotypic characteristics in ASD. ASD-related characteristics that may predispose youth with ASD to experience high or chronic irritability are considered, in addition to conceptualizations of irritability in ASD as resulting from a co-occurring psychiatric disorder. Common approaches to assessment, psychosocial treatment, and pharmacologic management of irritability are summarized. Finally, gaps in our understanding of irritability in ASD are highlighted and promising directions for future research are provided.