It is a demand placed on the individual that disturbs homeostasis and requires an adjustment on the part of the individual. Although a stress response may be associated with a positive event, it is more likely to be associated with a negative event. Life events which are typically related to the experience of stress are marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, illness, injury, separation, fears, death of a loved one, punishment and job demands. Stress responses are manifested differently by each individual, but some common physiological responses include rapid heartbeat, an increase in perspiration, faster breathing, contracting of various muscle groups, increase in blood pressure, a halt in digestion, and a decrease in production of saliva. In the population with developmental disabilities behavioural responses may also include an increase in ritualistic or stereotypic behaviours, screaming, self-injurious behaviours, tantrums and a variety of other disruptive and maladaptive behaviours.
Individuals develop their own methods of coping with stress in their lives.
Some ways, which are generally effective, are exercise, playing or listening to music, engaging in a hobby or favourite activity, relaxation, massage therapy, taking a vacation and talking with a friend or a counsellor. Buffers are those situational and personal characteristics that assist individuals in dealing capably with stress in their lives. People with autism may not have developed effective buffers to counter the effects of stress. This may be due in part to the behavioural characteristics associated with autism. Another contributing factor may be that they have never been taught adaptive ways to cope with the stressors they encounter.