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Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation for Stereotypic and Repetitive Behavior

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Abstract

This study provides evidence for intrinsic and extrinsic motivators for stereotypical and repetitive behavior in children with autism and intellectual disability and children with intellectual disability alone. We modified the Motivation Assessment Scale (MAS) (1988b); dividing it into intrinsic and extrinsic measures and adding items to assess anxiety as an intrinsic motivator. Rasch analysis of data from 279 MASs (74 children) revealed that the items formed two unidimensional scales. Anxiety was a more likely intrinsic motivator than sensory seeking for children with dual diagnoses; the reverse was true for children with intellectual disability only. Escape and gaining a tangible object were the most common extrinsic motivators for those with dual diagnoses and attention and escape for children with intellectual disability.

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Acknowledgements

This study was completed as partial fulfilment for the PhD degree of Annette V. Joosten.

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  1. Annette V. Joosten

    Present address: Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University of Technology, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, 2165, Australia

    Annette V. Joosten & Anita C. Bundy

  2. School of Occupational Therapy, Curtin University of Technology, GPO Box 1987, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia

    Annette V. Joosten

  3. Faculty of Health Sciences, Brain & Mind Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, 2165, Australia

    Stewart L. Einfeld

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  1. Annette V. Joosten
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Correspondence to Annette V. Joosten.

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Joosten, A.V., Bundy, A.C. & Einfeld, S.L. Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation for Stereotypic and Repetitive Behavior. J Autism Dev Disord 39, 521–531 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-008-0654-7

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