ABSTRACT
Aggressive behavior is prevalent and clinically significant in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), yet research remains conceptually fragmented across disciplines. This review aims to synthesize current literature through a function-oriented ecological framework. A total of 142 empirical studies published between 2014 and March 2025 were systematically reviewed. Data analysis was performed to evaluate participant characteristics, overt behaviors, assessment tools, and influencing factors. Most studies focused on school-aged boys with ASD, with physical aggression being the most frequently examined topography. Forty-eight assessment instruments were identified, reflecting considerable methodological heterogeneity. Notably, while the broader psychiatric literature heavily emphasized static individual characteristics and standardized measurements, the behavior-analytic literature highlighted the critical role of experimental functional analyses. These rigorous studies directly demonstrate that aggressive behavior is usually maintained by social contingencies. Although empirical attention to aggression in ASD has increased, theoretical coherence and functional integration remain limited. Future research should shift from descriptive trait analyses toward function-based, ecologically valid approaches that directly link assessment and intervention to observable environmental contingencies, thereby enhancing the precision and efficacy of behavioral interventions.