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Stereotyped behaviours in children with autism spectrum disorders and atypical development as measured by the BPI-01
Megan A Hattier1, Johnny L Matson, Katherine Macmillan
1Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University , Baton Rouge, LA 70803 , USA.
Insights
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show more repetitive behaviors than typically developing peers. These stereotypies are linked to sensory deficits and appear early, impacting treatment.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Repetitive behaviors in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) significantly impair daily functioning.
- Understanding the early emergence and characteristics of these behaviors is crucial for intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the occurrence of repetitive motor movements in toddlers with ASD and atypical development.
- To investigate the relationship between stereotypies and sensory impairment in this population.
Main Methods:
- The study involved toddlers aged 17-37 months, divided into ASD and non-ASD groups.
- Repetitive behaviors were assessed using the Behaviour Problems Inventory-01 (BPI-01) Stereotypy subscale.
- Sensory impairment was evaluated in relation to stereotypy severity.
Main Results:
- Children with ASD exhibited significantly more repetitive behaviors compared to the non-ASD group.
- The ASD group showed higher endorsement rates for stereotypy items on the BPI-01.
- A moderate correlation was observed between the severity of stereotypies and sensory deficits.
Conclusions:
- Stereotyped behaviors are identifiable in very young children with ASD.
- These behaviors negatively influence the behavioral presentation of individuals with ASD.
- Stereotypies should be a key consideration in developing effective treatment plans for ASD.
Objective:
As repetitive behaviours in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) can significantly interfere with one's daily functioning, continued research on these behaviours is needed.
Methods:
This study examined the occurrence of repetitive motor movements in toddlers (17-37 months) with ASD and atypical development and the relationship between stereotypies and sensory impairment.
Results:
Children with ASD (n = 13) exhibited significantly more repetitive behaviours than the non-ASD group (n = 12). Greater percentages of endorsement were evident for the ASD group on nearly all items of the Behaviour Problems Inventory-01 (BPI-01) Stereotypy subscale. More repetitive behaviours tended to co-occur with other stereotypies for the ASD group. A moderate correlation was found between stereotypy severity and sensory deficits.
Conclusion:
These findings suggest that stereotyped behaviours can be identified at very young ages, negatively affect the behavioural presentation of those with ASDs and should be considered when developing treatment plans.
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