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A Comparison of Repetitive Behaviors in Aspergers Disorder and High Functioning Autism

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Abstract

In this study we compared 33 IQ and age matched pairs of individuals with Aspergers Disorder (ASP) and high functioning autism (HFA) on measures of repetitive behavior. On the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R), the ASP and HFA groups showed no differences in RBS-R Intensity score (severity) score or Frequency score (number of problems present). This suggests that the two groups are similar with respect to␣the intensity or severity of repetitive behaviors and the presence of repetitive behaviors. At the item level there were no differences on scales typically associated with autism (Stereotyped Behavior) and ASP (Restricted Interests). Similarly, there were no differences between the groups on the Aberrant Behavior Checklist Stereotypy scale. These findings add to the body of literature showing that HFA and ASP fail to differ with respect to repetitive behaviors. The implications of the findings for neurobiologic and genetic studies are discussed.

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Author notes

  1. Michael L. Cuccaro

    Present address: Miami Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA

    Michael L. Cuccaro, Laura Nations, Jason Brinkley, John Gilbert & Margaret A. Pericak-Vance

  2. University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, USA

    Ruth K. Abramson, Harry H. Wright & Alicia Hall

Authors
  1. Michael L. Cuccaro
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  2. Laura Nations
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  3. Jason Brinkley
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  4. Ruth K. Abramson
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Correspondence to Michael L. Cuccaro.

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Cuccaro, M.L., Nations, L., Brinkley, J. et al. A Comparison of Repetitive Behaviors in Aspergers Disorder and High Functioning Autism. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 37, 347–360 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-007-0052-y

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