title: Intense imagery movements: a common and distinct paediatric subgroup of motor stereotypies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this article is to describe a subgroup of children who presented with stereotyped movements in the context of episodes of intense imagery. This is of relevance to current discussions regarding the clinical usefulness of diagnosing motor stereotypies during development.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample consisted of 10 children (nine males, one female; mean age 8y 6mo [SD 2y 5mo], range 6-15y). Referrals were from acute paediatricians, neurologists, and tertiary epilepsy services. Children were assessed by multidisciplinary teams with expertise in paediatric movement disorders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Stereotypies presented as paroxysmal complex movements involving upper and lower limbs. Imagery themes typically included computer games (60%), cartoons/films (40%), and fantasy scenes (30%). Comorbid developmental difficulties were reported for 80% of children. Brain imaging and electrophysiological investigations had been conducted for 50% of the children before referral to the clinic.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The descriptive term 'intense imagery movements' (IIM) was applied if (after interview) the children reported engaging in acts of imagery while performing stereotyped movements. We believe these children may form a common and discrete stereotypy subgroup, with the concept of IIM being clinically useful to ensure the accurate diagnosis and clinical management of this paediatric movement disorder.
authors.affiliation: Tic and Neurodevelopmental Movements (TANDeM), Children's Neurosciences Centre, Evelina London Children's Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.affiliation: Tic and Neurodevelopmental Movements (TANDeM), Children's Neurosciences Centre, Evelina London Children's Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, University La Sapienza of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cardona
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, University La Sapienza of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Baglioni
authors.affiliation: Tic and Neurodevelopmental Movements (TANDeM), Children's Neurosciences Centre, Evelina London Children's Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: Tammy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hedderly
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019018:Imagery, Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior; D019956:Stereotypic Movement Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*