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Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors and Interests in Young Children with Autism: A Comparative Study

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Indian Journal of Pediatrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

To examine the frequency of repetitive behaviors among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and compare it to age-matched developmentally delayed (DD) and typically developing children (TD).

Methods

Twenty-five children (3–8 y) with a diagnosis of ASD were compared to two age-matched control groups namely the DD and TD groups. The Repetitive Behaviors Scale–Revised (RBS-R) was administered to the parents to assess the frequency, severity, and impairment associated with restricted, repetitive behaviors, and interests (RRBIs) displayed. The study was cleared by the institute ethics committee.

Results

The three groups were well matched on age and sex distribution and comparisons on the RBS-R showed that the ASD group had a significantly higher total score (F = 51.52, p = 0.0001) and number of items endorsed on the scale (F = 37.91, p = 0.0001). Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that 35.8% of the variance in the total RRBI score of the ASD children was explained by the age and severity of autism (F = 6.12. p = .008). Older children with severe ASD features had significantly higher total RRBI scores.

Conclusions

RRBIs are not just specific to autism and should not be used in isolation to identify children with autism. Gaining a complete understanding of the complexity and variability of the restricted interests would help in improving the diagnostic procedures and in the development of a comprehensive therapeutic plan.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the patients and their families for their immense patience and cooperation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India

    N. Sunil Kumar, Prahbhjot Malhi, Bhavneet Bharti & Lokesh Saini

Authors
  1. N. Sunil Kumar
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  2. Prahbhjot Malhi
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  3. Bhavneet Bharti
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  4. Lokesh Saini
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Contributions

PM, BB, and LS designed the study; NSK collected the data and did the literature search; PM supervised the data collection, analyzed the data, and wrote the manuscript. All authors provided critical feedback and helped shape the final manuscript. PM will act as the guarantor for this paper.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Prahbhjot Malhi.

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Kumar, N.S., Malhi, P., Bharti, B. et al. Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors and Interests in Young Children with Autism: A Comparative Study. Indian J Pediatr 89, 1216–1221 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-022-04146-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-022-04146-8

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