The frequency of restricted and repetitive behaviors in a community sample of 15-month-old infants.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the frequency and pattern of a wide range of restricted and repetitive behaviors in the second year of life.


METHODS
Parents of 139 15-month-old typically developing infants from a community sample completed the Repetitive Behavior Questionnaire-2, giving information on restricted and repetitive behaviors (e.g., stereotyped motor movements, sensory interests, routines and rituals, and preoccupations with restricted interests) seen in their children.


RESULTS
The Repetitive Behavior Questionnaire-2 was found to be a reliable measure of these behaviors at this age and revealed a high frequency of particular types of repetitive motor movements in 15 month olds.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings have implications for the early detection of disorders characterized by high levels of restricted and repetitive behaviors, such as autism spectrum disorder.
Arnott
Bronia
B
Department of Psychology, Wolfson Research Institute, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom. B.M.Arnott@durham.ac.uk
McConachie
Helen
H
Meins
Elizabeth
E
Fernyhough
Charles
C
Couteur
Ann Le
AL
Turner
Michelle
M
Parkinson
Kathryn
K
Vittorini
Lucia
L
Leekam
Susan
S
D015331:Cohort Studies; D003192:Compulsive Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires