Adaptive and maladaptive correlates of repetitive behavior and restricted interests in persons with down syndrome and developmentally-matched typical children: a two-year longitudinal sequential design.
We examined the course of repetitive behavior and restricted interests (RBRI) in children with and without Down syndrome (DS) over a two-year time period. Forty-two typically-developing children and 43 persons with DS represented two mental age (MA) levels: "younger" 2-4 years; "older" 5-11 years. For typically developing younger children some aspects of RBRI increased from Time 1 to Time 2. In older children, these aspects remained stable or decreased over the two-year period. For participants with DS, RBRI remained stable or increased over time. Time 1 RBRI predicted Time 2 adaptive behavior (measured by the Vineland Scales) in typically developing children, whereas for participants with DS, Time 1 RBRI predicted poor adaptive outcome (Child Behavior Checklist) at Time 2. The results add to the body of literature examining the adaptive and maladaptive nature of repetitive behavior.
Developmental Neuropsychology Laboratory, Geisinger-Bucknell Autism and Developmental Medicine Institute, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, United States of America; Department of Neuroscience, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
David W
DW
Evans
Department of Psychology, River Parishes Community College, Sorrento, Louisiana, United States of America.
F Lee
FL
Kleinpeter
Developmental Neuropsychology Laboratory, Geisinger-Bucknell Autism and Developmental Medicine Institute, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
Mylissa M
MM
Slane
Department of Mathematics, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
K B
KB
Boomer
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000502:physiology*