Subcategories of restricted and repetitive behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorders

J Autism Dev Disord. 2013 Jun;43(6):1287-97. doi: 10.1007/s10803-012-1671-0.

Abstract

Research suggests that restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) can be subdivided into repetitive sensory motor (RSM) and insistence on sameness (IS) behaviors. However, because the majority of previous studies have used the autism diagnostic interview-revised (ADI-R), it is not clear whether these subcategories reflect the actual organization of RRBs in ASD. Using data from the Simons simplex collection (n = 1,825), we examined the association between scores on the ADI-R and the repetitive behavior scale-revised. Analyses supported the construct validity of RSM and IS subcategories. As in previous studies, IS behaviors showed no relationship with IQ. These findings support the continued use of RRB subcategories, particularly IS behaviors, as a means of creating more behaviorally homogeneous subgroups of children with ASD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / classification
  • Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / physiopathology*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Registries
  • Stereotyped Behavior / classification
  • Stereotyped Behavior / physiology*
  • Stereotypic Movement Disorder / classification
  • Stereotypic Movement Disorder / physiopathology