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Validation of the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised in Spanish-Speakers Participants with Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Abstract

Restricted and repetitive behavior (RRB) is one of the two key diagnostic features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). DSM-5 highlights the importance of severity-based diagnostic modifiers assigned on the basis of intensity of needed supports. Therefore, there is a need for available measures that assess the severity of RRB. The repetitive behavior scale-revised (RBS-R) is probably the most used informant-based rating scale for the assessment of RRB and interests observed in ASD. The present study examined the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the RBS-R in a sample of 233 participants with ASD, aged 3 to 63 years. Results revealed a six-factor model, good internal consistency, and concurrent-divergent validity. These findings suggest the utility of the Spanish version of RBS-R.

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Acknowledgments

We are very grateful to collaboration of the 18 centers belonging to the Spanish southeast and the Consejería de Educación y Universidades de la Región de Murcia (España).

Author Contributions

AEMG research interests are focused on psychometric validation of psychological assessment of OCD and ASD. He was responsible for the following phases of the study: contact the centers, apply instruments, analyze data, discussion and redaction the article. JAP research interests are focused on child and adolescent mental health, psychological assessment, obsessive-compulsive disorder in childhood, and the application of new technologies for assessment and intervention of youth. He was responsible for the following phases of the study: analyze data and redaction the article.

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Correspondence to A. E. Martínez-González.

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Author Agustín Ernesto Martínez-González declares that he has no conflict of interest. Author Jose Antonio Piqueras Rogríguez declares that he has no conflict of interest.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Martínez-González, A.E., Piqueras, J.A. Validation of the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised in Spanish-Speakers Participants with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 48, 198–208 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3276-0

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