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Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors as Predictors of Outcome in Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Abstract

Questions have been raised about the significance of restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) in predicting outcomes of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Previous studies have yielded mixed findings, but some suggest that the presence of RRBs during preschool years is a negative prognostic indicator for later childhood. This study examined the effect of RRBs at ages 1–2 and 3–5 years on cognitive functioning, adaptive abilities, and ASD symptomatology at age 8–10 years in 40 children with ASDs. At 1–2 years, RRBs did not predict later functioning. However, at 3–5 years, more severe preoccupations with parts of objects, sensory interests, and stereotyped motor movements predicted less developed cognitive and adaptive skills, and greater ASD symptom severity at age 8–10 years.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful for the help of the graduate students and research assistants who aided in data collection and data entry for this study, including Joyce Suh, Kaitlin De Yoe, Courtney Manning, and Chelsea Pajardo. We would also like to thank the parents and children who participated in this study, as well as the funding agencies Maternal and Child Health (R40MC00270-04-00) and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (5 R01 HD039961-05).

Author Contributions

ET made substantial contributions to conception and design of the study, contributed to acquisition of data, performed statistical analyses, and drafted the manuscript; KK made substantial contributions to conception and design of the study, contributed to acquisition of data, and revised the manuscript; LH made substantial contributions to conception and design of the study, contributed to acquisition of data, and revised the manuscript; MS made substantial contributions to analysis and interpretation of data and revised the manuscript; CMC made substantial contributions to analysis and interpretation of data and revised the manuscript; MB made substantial contributions to analysis and interpretation of data and revised the manuscript; KT made substantial contributions to analysis and interpretation of data and revised the manuscript; DF made substantial contributions to conception and design of the study, assisted with interpretation of data, and revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA

    Eva Troyb

  2. MassGeneral for Children at North Shore Medical Center, Salem, MA, USA

    Kelley Knoch

  3. Yale School of Medicine Child Study Center, New Haven, CT, USA

    Lauren Herlihy

  4. Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center, The Institute of Living, Hartford, CT, USA

    Michael C. Stevens

  5. Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA

    Chi-Ming Chen, Marianne Barton, Kimberli Treadwell & Deborah Fein

  6. Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA

    Deborah Fein

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  1. Eva Troyb
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Correspondence to Eva Troyb.

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DF and MB are part owner of the M-CHAT-R LLC. The M-CHAT-R is provided free of charge for physician’s use but provides royalties from companies that incorporate it into commercial products and charge for its use.

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Troyb, E., Knoch, K., Herlihy, L. et al. Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors as Predictors of Outcome in Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 46, 1282–1296 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2668-2

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