Repetitive Behavior In Children With Autism Explained

By Author: Brian Tanenbaum
Total Articles: 8
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Insights from ABA Therapy Experts in Carrollton, TX

Repetitive or restrictive behaviors have been part of the Autism diagnostic manual since the time that scientists first documented this complex neurological condition. Typically, this constitutes unusual behaviors that include rigidity, repetition, lack of adaptability, and socially inappropriate behavior, including verbal repetition, self-injurious or self-stimulatory behaviors, and compulsive actions. Parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may feel confused, angry, or even anxious about such behaviors as they can impact their child’s ability to carry out daily tasks and assimilate well in society. In turn, this could lead to alienation, isolation, or even social stigmatization not just for the child, but the entire family.

The qualified and experienced professionals of ABA Applied Behavior Analysis in Carrolton TX at Behavior Pioneers explain how to identify and manage repetitive behaviors in children with Autism.

All You Need to Know about Repetitive Behaviors in Individuals with ASD

What are repetitive behaviors? Researchers ...
... tend to classify repetitive behaviors or restricted interests into two groups:

• ‘Lower-order’ repetitive behaviors include hand flapping, twirling, body rocking, fidgeting with objects, grunting, repeating certain phrases, or certain other self-stimulatory behaviors.

• ‘Higher-order’ repetitive behaviors include traits, such as the insistence on sameness, intense interest in a specific subject, or rituals and routines.

Do repetitive behaviors necessarily mean Autism? Repetitive behaviors are not unique to Autism and can happen in other conditions, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Schizophrenia, or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). However, these behaviors are a dominant trait of individuals formally diagnosed with ASD.

Why do repetitive behaviors occur? Since most of the early studies on Autism focused on social difficulties and communication problems, there is limited information on the causes of repetitive behaviors in people on the spectrum. Here are three different lines of thoughts by different sets of experts:

1. Only Self-Stimulation: Repetitive behaviors do not have any function beyond self-stimulation. The individual with ASD simply feels good by engaging in these behaviors.

2. Coping Mechanism: Individuals with ASD use repetitive behaviors to shut out the outside world. It helps them calm their anxiety, deal with overwhelming emotions or sensations, or generate and maintain awareness of their bodies. Some researchers extend this theory to suggest that individuals with Autism use these behaviors to communicate their mental or emotional state to others.

3. Reflection of the Neurological Disorder: Repetitive behaviors hold no function and simply reflect a disorganized nervous system.

How to manage repetitive behaviors? Despite some studies1, 2 in this area, there are no reliable or proven methods to treat repetitive behaviors. Moreover, today, clinicians question the need for treating or eliminating repetitive behaviors unless they are causing any physical harm to the individual with ASD or the people around them. Whether it is repetitive, stereotypical motor movements, inflexible adherence to routines, ritualized patterns of nonverbal or verbal behaviors, or highly restricted and fixated interests with an abnormal focus or intensity, experts suggest not to suppress such behaviors by prescribing powerful drugs or other extreme measures. In fact, trying to eliminate these behaviors may do more harm than good for the individual with Autism.

When should parents be concerned about repetitive behaviors in their child with ASD?

• Are the child’s behaviors destructive, dangerous, or causing self-harm or harm to the people around them?

• Are the behaviors interfering with the child’s daily activities, or their ability to learn or perform on-task behaviors?

• Are the behaviors impeding the child’s ability to interact with others, or adopt appropriate social behaviors?

In any of the above situations, an autism treatment center in Dallas can help in addressing specific problem behaviors by incorporating appropriate tools and interventions within the child’s individualized curriculum.

Apara Autism Center is dedicated to making meaningful improvements in the lives of those we serve.