Problem behaviors, psychopathology, and respect for neurodivergence in gestalt therapy: A brief narrative review
Published 2026-03-20
Keywords
- Problem behavior and autism, Psychopathology and problem behavior, Neurodivergence, Differential diagnosis, Autism.
How to Cite
Copyright (c) 2026 Valeria Ciotola, Angela Ammendola, Roberta Terracciano, Maria Carmela Di Nardo , Stefania Giordano, Sebastian Cesarano, Flavia Morfini
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Abstract
Scientific literature defines problem behavior as behavior that is destructive to the individual or to the environment and that compromises the person’s quality of life. Such behaviors are frequently observed both in neurodivergent profiles, such as those within the autism spectrum, and in various psychopathological conditions.
The present work proposes a narrative mini-review of the literature on problem behaviors, with the aim of deepening the distinction between behaviors that represent expressions of neurodivergent functioning and behaviors that may instead be attributable to psychopathological conditions.
The discussion is developed within an integrated clinical perspective that considers behavior within the relational and environmental field in which it emerges. From this standpoint, understanding problem behaviors requires observing the person in their entirety, including not only symptoms but also individual resources, relational dynamics, and the broader life context.
The aim is to promote a multidisciplinary clinical approach that is respectful of neurodivergence and capable of distinguishing between psychopathological distress and differences in functioning, thereby avoiding processes of inappropriate pathologization.
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