Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Relationship Between Anxiety and Repetitive Behaviours in Autism Spectrum Disorder

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder are vulnerable to anxiety. Repetitive behaviours are a core feature of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and have been associated anxiety. This study examined repetitive behaviours and anxiety in two groups of children with autism spectrum disorder, those with high anxiety and those with lower levels of anxiety. Children with high anxiety had more repetitive behaviours than those without anxiety. Within the anxiety sample, higher levels of insistence on sameness were associated with more anxiety. No association was found between sensory motor repetitive behaviours and anxiety in this group. In the non-anxious sample, anxiety was associated with sensory motor repetitive behaviours. These findings indicate a differential relationship for repetitive behaviours in relation to anxious and non-anxious children with ASD.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed., text revision). Washington: American Psychiatric Association.

  • Cath, D. C., Ran, N., Smit, J. H., van Balkom, A. J., & Comijs, H. C. (2008). Symptom overlap between autism spectrum disorder, generalized social anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults: A preliminary case-controlled study. Psychopathology, 41(2), 101–110.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chalfant, A. M., Rapee, R., & Carroll, L. (2006). Treating anxiety disorders in children with high functioning autism spectrum disorders: A controlled trial. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 33, 283–298.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dugas, M. J., Gagnon, F., Ladouceur, R., & Freeston, M. H. (1998). Generalized anxiety disorder: A preliminary test of a conceptual model. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 36(2), 215–226.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gjevik, E., Eldevik, S., Fjaeran-Granum, T., & Sponheim, E. (2010). Kiddie-SADS reveals high rates of DSM-IV disorders in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 1–9.

  • Greenaway, R., & Howlin, P. (2010). Dysfunctional attitudes and perfectionism and their relationship to anxious and depressive symptoms in boys with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 40, 1179–1187.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Honey, E., McConachie, H., Turner, M., & Rodgers, J. (2012). Validation of the repetitive behaviour questionnaire for use with children with autism spectrum disorder. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 6(1), 355–364.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hurtig, T., Kuusikko, S., Mattila, M.-L., Haapsamo, H., Ebeling, H., Jussila, K., et al. (2009). Multi-informant reports of psychiatric symptoms among high-functioning adolescents with Asperger syndrome or autism. Autism, 13, 583–598.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Joosten, A. V., Bundy, A. C., & Einfeld, S. L. (2009). Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation for stereotypic and repetitive behaviour. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 39, 521–531.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Le Couteur, A. S. (2003). National autism plan for children. London: DoH, DfES, National Autistic Society.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, M. H., & Bodfish, J. W. (1998). Repetitive behaviour disorders in autism. Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews, 4, 80–89.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lord, C., Risi, S., Lambrecht, L., Cook, E. H., Jr, Leventhal, B. L., DiLavore, P. C., et al. (2000). The autism diagnostic observation schedule—generic: A standard measure of social and communication deficits associated with the spectrum of autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 30(3), 205–223.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • MacNeil, B. M., Lopes, V. A., & Minnes, P. M. (2009). Anxiety in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Research on Autism Spectrum Disorders, 3(1), 1–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McConachie, R., Barry, R., Spencer, A., Le Couteur, A., & Colver, A. (2008). Daslne: the challenge of developing a regional database for autism spectrum disorder. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 94, 38–41.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nauta, M. H., Scholing, A., Rapee, R. M., Abbott, M., Spence, S. H., & Waters, A. (2004). A parent-report measure of children’s anxiety: Psychometric properties and comparison with child-report in a clinical and normal sample. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 42(7), 813–839.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ooi, Y. P., Lam, C. M., Sung, M., Tan, W. T. S., Goh, T. J., Fung, D. S. S., et al. (2008). Effects of cognitive-behavioural therapy on anxiety for children with high functioning autistic spectrum disorders. Singapore Medical Journal, 49(3), 215–220.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pine, D. S., Cohen, P., Gurley, D. J., Brook, J., & Ma, Y. (2005). The risk for early adulthood anxiety and depressive disorders in adolescents with anxiety and depressive symptoms. Archives of General Psychiatry, 55, 56–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reaven, J. (2011). The treatment of anxiety symptoms in youth with high functioning autism spectrum disorder: Developmental considerations for parents. Brain Research, 1380, 255–263.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rodgers, J., Riby, D. M., Janes, E., Connolly, B., McConachie, H. (2012). Anxiety and repetitive behaviours in autism spectrum disorders and Williams syndrome: A cross-syndrome comparison. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42, 175–180.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Russell, E., & Sofronoff, K. (2005). Anxiety and social worries in children with Asperger syndrome. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 39(7), 633–638.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, M., Bailey, A., & Lord, C. (2003). Social communication questionnaire-WPS SCQ-WPS). Los Angeles, CA: Western Psychological Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Silverman, W. K., & Albano, A. M. (1996). The anxiety disorders interview schedule for DSM-IV: parent interview schedule. San Antonio: TX Graywind Publications, a Division of the Psychological Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sofronoff, K., Attwood, T., & Hinton, S. (2005). A randomised controlled trial of a CBT intervention for anxiety in children with Asperger syndrome. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 46, 1152–1160.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spence, S. H. (1998). A measure of anxiety symptoms among children. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 36, 545–566.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spiker, M. A., Lin, C. E., Van Dyke, M. & Wood (2011) Restricted interests and anxiety in children with autism. Autism, epub ahead of print.

  • Sukhodolsky, D. G., Scahill, L., Gadow, K. D., Arnold, L. E., Aman, M. G., McDougle, C. J., et al. (2008). Parent-rated anxiety symptoms in children with pervasive developmental disorders: Frequency and association with core autism symptoms and cognitive functioning. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 36(1), 117–128.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tantam, D. (2003). The challenge of adolescents and adults with Asperger syndrome. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 12, 143–163.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tsai, L. Y. (2006). Diagnosis and treatment of anxiety disorders in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. In M. G. Baron, J. Groden, G. Groden, & L. P. Lipsitt (Eds.), Stress and coping in autism (pp. 388–440). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner, M. A. (1995). Repetitive behaviour and cognitive functioning in autism. Unpublished doctoral thesis, University of Cambridge, UK.

  • Turner, M. A. (1999). Annotation: Repetitive behaviours in autism: A review of psychological research. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 40, 839–849.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Van Steensel, F. J. A., & Bogels, S. M. (2011). Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents with autistic spectrum disorders: A meta-analysis. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 14, 302–317.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wechsler, D. (1999). Wechsler abbreviated scale of intelligence (WASI).. San Antonio, TX: Harcourt Assessment.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, S. W., Oswald, D., Ollendick, T., & Scahill, L. (2009). Anxiety in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Clinical Psychology Review, 29(3), 216–229.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rodgers, J., Jamieson R. & McConachie H. Measuring anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorders: The reliability and validity of the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale. (submitted).

Download references

Acknowledgments

Some of the data reported here was derived from independent research commissioned by the UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) under the Research for Patient Benefit programme (PB-PG-0408-16069). The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health. Some of the data is reported a doctoral thesis in part fulfilment of the qualification Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (B Connolly).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Newcastle, Ridley Building, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, NE17RU, UK

    J. Rodgers & M. Glod

  2. School of Psychology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, NE17RU, UK

    B. Connolly

  3. Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, NE17RU, UK

    H. McConachie

Authors
  1. J. Rodgers
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Glod
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. B. Connolly
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. H. McConachie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. Rodgers.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rodgers, J., Glod, M., Connolly, B. et al. The Relationship Between Anxiety and Repetitive Behaviours in Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 42, 2404–2409 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-012-1531-y

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-012-1531-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation