Assessment and treatment of stereotypy in infants at risk of autism spectrum disorder

Individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often engage in stereotypic behavior that is challenging to treat due to difficulties isolating the maintaining reinforcer. The purpose of this study was to identify and treat motor stereotypy in an infant at risk of ASD. Although several studies have investigated the prevalence and topographies of stereotypy in young children, none have identified the age at which it emerges and treated it before 1 year of age. Redirection of stereotypy to toy play and reinforcement for toy engagement was implemented in a multiple baseline design across topographies of stereotypy. Results indicate decreases in all topographies of stereotypy to near-zero levels across the course of the study. These findings are discussed as they relate to the implications of identifying stereotypy in infancy and intervening as soon as it is identified.