title: One-year change in repetitive behaviours in young children with communication disorders including autism.
abstract: Repetitive behaviours are a relatively neglected area of study in autism. Previous research has concluded that repetitive behaviour is inversely related to ability and that it tends to increase over the preschool years. One-hundred and four children ages 24-48 months, with autism, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other disorders, were followed for 13 months. Twelve items from the Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI-R) were analysed, as well as diagnostic algorithm scores. Ability was related to degree of repetitive behaviours, except for one cluster of relatively able children. ADI-R repetitive behaviour algorithm scores increased over time; however, when all 12 behaviours were considered, there was a general decrease in impact upon the child's and family's activities. Reasons for this decrease are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Durham, Durham, UK.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Honey
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: McConachie
authors.forename: Val
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Randle
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shearer
authors.forename: Ann S Le
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Couteur
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003147:Communication Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D032882:Comprehension; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004493:Education; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D007807:Language Tests; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010552:Personality Assessment; D013067:Speech Perception; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior