Types of Repetitive Behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Background: Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder occurring in children. Each child on the spectrum has different behaviors. Objective: To identify different types of repetitive behaviors in patients with autism spectrum disorder. Methods: This study was carried out at the Children's hospital, The Institute of Child Health Centre and Rising Sun Institute DHA Lahore, Department of Developmental Pediatrics, Lahore. Purposive sampling was used to collect data through three months’ period. It was a cross-sectional study including 32 children with autism spectrum disorder between the age of 3 and 15 years. The repetitive behavior scale was developed to identify different forms of repetitive. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 and data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and were presented in the form of tables. Results: Six forms of repetitive behaviors including stereotyped, self-injurious, compulsive, ritualistic, sameness and restricted behaviors and were evaluated in 32 children. Restricted behavior was most commonly present in a severe form in 17 (15.1%) children followed by sameness behavior in 15 (46.9%) children, and stereotyped behavior in 12 (37.5%) children, while compulsive behavior and ritualistic behavior were less commonly seen in 8 (25%) and 7 (21.9%) children, respectively and self-injurious behavior was seen rarely in only 3 (9.4%) children. Conclusion: Repetitive behaviors were seen in all children with autism spectrum disorder however the most prevalent forms are restricted, sameness and stereotyped behaviors. Early detection of behavioral abnormalities can aid in the early detection and treatment of autism spectrum disorder.