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Updated: May 8, 2026

A Familiarization Protocol Facilitates the Participation of Children with ASD in Electrophysiological Research
Published on: July 31, 2017
Arranging and ordering in autism spectrum disorder: characteristics, severity, and environmental correlates
Nicole M Rodriguez1, Rachel H Thompson, Corey S Stocco
1Munroe-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA. nicole.rodriguez@unmc.edu
Background:
There is a need for a more accurate characterisation of higher level restricted and repetitive behaviour (RRB) in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including why it might be considered problematic and events associated with its occurrence.
Method:
We selected one form of higher level RRB-arranging and ordering-that was rated as severe for a large percentage of the population sampled. We interviewed 20 students' teachers and conducted naturalistic observations for 15 of those students.
Results:
The characteristics of arranging and ordering varied across, and sometimes within, individuals. Problems associated with compulsive-like (1) behaviour also varied, with several unanticipated reported problems. With the exception of attention, social consequences were relatively infrequent.
Conclusions:
These data highlight the need for research on the assessment and treatment of arranging and ordering and clinical attention to compulsive-like behaviour in ASD. Interviews and naturalistic observations are useful for structuring additional observations and analyses.
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