Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders pp 2557–2563Cite as

Repetitive Behavior

  • Reference work entry

  • 591 Accesses

Definition

The term “repetitive behaviors” refers to abnormal behaviors that are characterized by repetition, rigidity, inappropriateness, and lack of adaptability (Bodfish, 2007). They include motor stereotyped behaviors, self-stimulatory behaviors, self-injurious behaviors, compulsive or sameness behaviors, and verbal repetitive behaviors such as echolalia (Bodfish, Symons, Parker, & Lewis, 2000). Repetitive behaviors may become problematic when they occupy a significant portion of the individual’s waking hours, interfere with participation in other life activities, interfere with appropriate social interactions, disrupt the learning of more appropriate behaviors, or in the case of self-injurious behavior cause significant bodily damage. The specific function of repetitive behaviors in autism is unknown, but hypothesized functions include stress reduction, reward/gratification, and sensory stimulation (Mason, 1991). Individuals with autism who engage in repetitive and restricted...

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

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   1,799.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References and Readings

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual (4th ed.). Washington, DC: APA Press. Text Rev.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2010). Proposed draft revisions to DSM disorders and criteria, APA DSM-5. Retrieved September 10, 2010, from http://www.dsm5.org/ProposedRevisions/Pages/Default.aspx

  • Arnott, B., McConachie, H., Meins, E., Fernyhough, C., LeCouteur, A., Turner, M., et al. (2010). The frequency of restricted and repetitive behaviors in a community sample of 15-month-old infants. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 31, 223–229.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bishop, S. L., Richler, J., & Lord, C. (2006). Association between restricted and repetitive behaviors and nonverbal IQ in children with autism spectrum disorders. Child Neuropsychology, 12, 247–267.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bodfish, J. W. (2007). Stereotypy, self-injury, and related abnormal repetitive behaviors. In J. W. Jacobson, J. A. Mulick, & J. Rojahn (Eds.), Handbook of intellectual and developmental disabilities (pp. 481–505). New York, NY: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Bodfish, J. W., Crawford, T. W., Powell, S. B., Golden, R. N., & Lewis, M. H. (1995). Compulsions in adults with mental retardation: Prevalence, phenomenology, and co-morbidity with stereotypy and self-injury. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 100, 183–192.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bodfish, J. W., Symons, F. J., & Lewis, M. H. (1999). The repetitive behavior scales. Western Carolina Center Research Reports.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bodfish, J. W., Symons, F. J., Parker, D. E., & Lewis, M. H. (2000). Varieties of repetitive behavior in autism: Comparisons to mental retardation. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 30, 237–243.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brusa, E., & Richman, D. (2008). Developing stimulus control for occurrences of stereotypy exhibited by a child with autism. The International Journal of Behavioral Consultation and Therapy, 4, 264–269.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, M., Locascio, J., Choroco, M. C., Spencer, E. K., Malone, R. P., Kafantaris, V., et al. (1990). Stereotypies and tardive dyskinesia: Abnormal movements in autistic children. Psychopharmacology Bulletin, 26, 260–266.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dominick, K. C., Davis, N. O., Lainhart, J., Tager-Flusberg, H., & Folstein, S. (2007). Atypical behaviors in children with autism and children with a history of language impairment. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 28, 145–162.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Esbensen, A. J., Mailick Seltzer, M., Lam, K. S. L., & Bodfish, J. W. (2009). Age-related differences in restricted repetitive behaviors in autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 39, 57–66.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gabriels, R. L., Cuccaro, M. L., Hill, D. E., Ivers, B. J., & Goldson, E. (2005). Repetitive behaviors in autism: Relationships with associated clinical features. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 26, 169–181.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kanner, L. (1943). Autistic disturbances of affective contact. Nervous Child, 2, 217–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klin, A., Volkmar, F. R., & Sparrow, S. S. (2000). Introduction. In A. Klin, F. R. Volkmar, & S. S. Sparrow (Eds.), Asperger syndrome (pp. 1–21). New York, NY: The Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lam, K. S. L., & Aman, M. G. (2007). The Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised: Independent validation in individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37, 855–866.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leekam, S., Tandos, J., McConachie, H., Meins, E., Parkinson, K., Wright, C., et al. (2007). Repetitive behaviors in typically developing 2-year-olds. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 48, 1131–1138.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lord, C., Rutter, M., & Le Couteur, A. S. (1994). Autism diagnostic interview-revised: A revised version of a diagnostic interview for caregivers of individuals with possible pervasive developmental disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 24, 659–685.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mason, G. (1991). Stereotypies: A critical review. Animal Behavior, 41, 1015–1037.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Militerni, R., Bravaccio, C., Falco, C., Fico, C., & Palermo, M. T. (2002). Repetitive behaviors in autistic disorder. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 11, 210–218.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moss, J., Oliver, C., Arron, K., Burbidge, C., & Berg, K. (2009). The prevalence and phenomenology of repetitive behavior in genetic syndromes. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 39, 572–588.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Myers, S. M., Johnson, C. P., & the Council on Children with Disabilities. (2007). Management of children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics, 120, 1162–1182.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peters-Scheffer, N., Didden, R., Green, V. A., Sigafoos, J., Korzilius, H., Pituch, K., et al. (2008). The behavior flexibility rating scale-revised (BFRS-R): Factor analysis, internal consistency, inter-rater and intra-rater reliability, and convergent validity. Research in Developmental Disabilities: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 29, 398–407.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richler, J., Bishop, S. L., Kleinke, J. R., & Lord, C. (2007). Restricted and repetitive behaviors in young children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37, 73–85.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Richler, J., Huerta, M., Bishop, S. L., & Lord, C. (2010). Developmental trajectories of restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests in children with autism spectrum disorders. Development and Psychopathology, 22, 55–69.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rojahn, J., Matson, J. L., Lott, D., Esbensen, A. J., & Smalls, Y. (2001). The behavior problems inventory: An instrument for the assessment of self-injury, stereotyped behavior, and aggression/destruction in individuals with developmental disabilities. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 31(6), 577–588.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shay, J., Sanchez, L., Cueva, J., Armenteros, J., Overall, J., & Campbell, M. (1993). Neuroleptic-related dyskinesia and stereotypies in autistic children. Psychopharmacology Bulletin, 29, 359–363.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tröster, H., Brambring, M., & Beelmann, A. (1991). Prevalence and situational causes of stereotyped behaviors in blind infants and preschoolers. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 19, 569–590.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Volkmar, F. R. & Klin, A. (2000). Diagnostic issues in Asperger Syndrome. In A. Klin, F. R. Volkmar, & S. S. Sparrow (Eds.), Asperger Syndrome (pp. 25–71). New York, NY: The Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization (2007). International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems 10th revision. Geneva: Author.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, George Mason University, 10340 Democracy Lane, Suite 202, 22030, Fairfax, VA, USA

    Prof. Johannes Rojahn

  2. Department of Psychology, George Mason University, 7700 Leesburg Pike, Suite 200 (South Lobby), 22043, Falls Church, VA, USA

    Lisa J. Meier Ph.D. (Affiliate Faculty)

Authors
  1. Prof. Johannes Rojahn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lisa J. Meier Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Johannes Rojahn .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Irving B. Harris Professor of Child Psychiatry, Pediatrics and Psychology Yale University School of Medicine, Chief, Child Psychiatry Children's Hospital at Yale-New Haven Child Study Center, New Haven, CT, USA

    Fred R. Volkmar (Director, Child Study Center) (Director, Child Study Center)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this entry

Cite this entry

Rojahn, J., Meier, L.J. (2013). Repetitive Behavior. In: Volkmar, F.R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1698-3_1648

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1698-3_1648

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-1697-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-1698-3

  • eBook Packages: Behavioral Science

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation