title: Repetitive behaviours in typically developing 2-year-olds.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Repetitive behaviours are an essential part of the diagnosis of autism but are also commonly seen in typically developing children. The current study investigated the frequency and factor structure of repetitive behaviours in a large community sample of 2-year-olds.
  
  
  METHODS
  A new measure, the Repetitive Behaviour Questionnaire (RBQ-2) was completed by 679 parents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The RBQ-2 had good psychometric properties. A four-factor model provided the best fit for the data, accounting for 51% of the variance, and suggested 4 sub-scales: unusual sensory interests, repetitive motor movements, rigidity/adherence to routine and preoccupations with restricted patterns of interest. These sub-scales closely resembled repetitive behaviour subtypes within the ICD-10 criteria for autism. Repetitive behaviours of every type were frequently reported. Higher scores were found for all children, and especially boys, on the subscale relating to preoccupations with restricted patterns of interests.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results support the proposal that repetitive behaviours represent a continuum of functioning that extends to the typically developing child population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Durham, UK. S.R.Leekam@durham.ac.uk
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Leekam
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tandos
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: McConachie
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Meins
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Parkinson
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Bronia
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Arnott
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vittorini
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Le Couteur
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics; D019956:Stereotypic Movement Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires