title: Evidence-based behavioral interventions for repetitive behaviors in autism.
abstract: Restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) are a core symptom of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). There has been an increased research emphasis on repetitive behaviors; however, this research primarily has focused on phenomenology and mechanisms. Thus, the knowledge base on interventions is lagging behind other areas of research. The literature suggests there are evidence-based practices to treat "lower order" RRBs in ASD (e.g., stereotypies); yet, there is a lack of a focused program of intervention research for "higher order" behaviors (e.g., insistence on sameness). This paper will (a) discuss barriers to intervention development for RRBs; (b) review evidence-based interventions to treat RRBs in ASD, with a focus on higher order behaviors; and (c) conclude with recommendations for practice and research.
authors.affiliation: Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB# 7122, Bondurant Hall, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7120, USA. brian_boyd@med.unc.edu
authors.forename: Brian A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Boyd
authors.forename: Stephen G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: McDonough
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Bodfish
mesh_terms: D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D006801:Humans; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior; D019956:Stereotypic Movement Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*