Restricted/repetitive behaviors is a core diagnostic criterion for autism. Motor repetitions, referred to as “lower-order,” include self-stimulation, hand flapping, twirling, repeating phrases, manipulating objects, banging toys together, and repeatedly pushing buttons (1).
A subset of repetitive movements such as twirling, hand-flapping or vocalizations are sometimes called 'stimming. ' This is short for self-stimulatory behavior, a clinical term that some autistic people have adopted. They have also spoken out about the importance of their 'stims. '
Everyone engages in some form of repetitive behavior. Typical examples exhibited by people of all ages are shaking your leg when sitting, twirling your hair on your finger and clicking your pen repetitively. People with a developmental disability often, but not always, exhibit repetitive behaviors.
RRBs include a very broad category of behaviors such as preoccupation with restricted patterns of interest (e.g. having very specific knowledge about vacuum cleaners), adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines (e.g. insisting on taking a certain route to school), repetitive motor manners (e.g., hand flapping), and ...
Some examples of stereotypic behavior in typical adults include tapping feet, nail biting, smoking, organizing, playing sports, and watching TV. Alternatively, stereotypies in typical infants and toddlers often resemble behaviors seen in individuals with autism across the lifespan (Smith & Van Houten, 1996).
Abnormal repetitive behaviors (ARBs) represent a diverse group of behaviors whose underlying mechanism is poorly understood. Their neurobiology likely involves several different neurotransmitter systems. These behaviors have been referred to as compulsive disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders and stereotypies.
Restricted behaviors are defined as behaviors that are limited in their range of focus, interest, or activity, and include strong attachment to objects (e.g., playing the same music or film continuously).
Many children on the autism spectrum use echolalia, which means they repeat others' words or sentences. They might repeat the words of familiar people (parents, teachers), or they might repeat sentences from their favourite video. When children repeat words right after they hear them, it's known as immediate echolalia.
Repetitive, purposeless behaviors are a common symptom of autism. 1 Such behaviors might include repetitively lining up toys, spinning objects, or opening and closing drawers or doors. Repetitive behaviors can also involve talking or asking about the same thing over and over again.
Many autistic people get very stuck in loops of rumination and uncertainty, and the feeling of going round and round, the anxiety and worry, can be really unbearable. I call this 'loops of concern'.
Restricted interests are common in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). For example, a person might be interested in a specific TV show, math or drawing. People with restricted interests are often experts on the topics or objects they enjoy. Sometimes they share their interests with others.
Some autistic children and teenagers have rituals. For example, some children might keep favourite objects in specific places, like the bottom corner of a drawer in the bedroom. They might have to get their objects out and touch them before bed.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. People with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention.
Examples include flapping hands or flicking or snapping fingers, rocking the body, rubbing a particular object, pacing, twirling, turning a light on and off repeatedly, or repeating words or phrases.
This type of repetitive speech occurs immediately after you say something to your child. For example, you may ask them, “Do you want a snack?” and they may repeat it back to you as an echo. This is immediate echolalia.
Reinforcement should be matched to the behaviour.
For example, if I prompt a child to say “hello” when I see them, and they say “hello” in response, then I am going to praise this behaviour. However, if they spontaneously say “hello” when they see me, then I am going to give lots of praise and a tangible reinforcer.
Mitigated echolalia, which repeats some words but with changes. Immediate or delayed echolalia, which describe the timing of the repetitive words.
Repetitive behaviours can be a major part of life for many autistic children and young people. They can be an essential way of regulating emotion and providing someone with a source of comfort or enjoyment that enables them to carry on with their day.
While mannerisms such as random humming or screaming are known as vocal stims, echolalia and palilalia are known as verbal stimming. This is because vocal stimming involves the use of sounds other than talking, whereas verbal stimming usually involves speech.
Repetitive behaviors are characteristic of a variety of disorders or dysfunctions of brain development, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
The repetitive behaviors involve researching, playing, or talking about such subjects. The key distinction between these two conditions is that OCD components cause discomfort and are painful to the patient.
Overview. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) features a pattern of unwanted thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead you to do repetitive behaviors (compulsions). These obsessions and compulsions interfere with daily activities and cause significant distress.