Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Comparative Study
. 2000 Jun;30(3):237-43.
doi: 10.1023/a:1005596502855.

Varieties of repetitive behavior in autism: comparisons to mental retardation

J W Bodfish  1 , F J Symons, D E Parker, M H Lewis
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Varieties of repetitive behavior in autism: comparisons to mental retardation

J W Bodfish et al. J Autism Dev Disord. 2000 Jun.

Abstract

Systematic study of abnormal repetitive behaviors in autism has been lacking despite the diagnostic significance of such behavior. The occurrence of specific topographies of repetitive behaviors as well as their severity was assessed in individuals with mental retardation with and without autism. The occurrence of each behavior category, except dyskinesias, was higher in the autism group and autistic subjects exhibited a significantly greater number of topographies of stereotypy and compulsions. Both groups had significant patterns of repetitive behavior co-occurrence. Autistic subjects had significantly greater severity ratings for compulsions, stereotypy, and self-injury. Repetitive behavior severity also predicted severity of autism. Although abnormal repetition is not specific to autism, an elevated pattern of occurrence and severity appears to characterize the disorder.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Psychopharmacol Bull. 1990;26(2):260-6 - PubMed
    1. J Autism Child Schizophr. 1973 Apr-Jun;3(2):154-67 - PubMed
    1. Am J Ment Defic. 1986 Nov;91(3):268-76 - PubMed
    1. Neurology. 1994 Jul;44(7):1309-12 - PubMed
    1. J Autism Dev Disord. 1996 Apr;26(2):257-75 - PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms

LinkOut - more resources