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Restricted Interests and Repetitive Behaviors

OHS LINKS - Skoutelas

Repetitive Behaviors

Using Special Interests to Foster Social Interactions

Examples: Repeating favorite phrases (often quotes from movies or t.v. shows), stims, such as hand-flapping or rocking, talking excessively about special interests or obsessions

In Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome (2003), Stephen Shore talks about using his interests in music and bicycles to get to know people: "Building a relationship with a person via an activity as the catalyst proved helpful. While this may hold true for most people, it is especially so for those on the autistic spectrum. Having an activity as the focus of the interactions reduces the reliance on being able to detect, accurately encode, and respond appropriately to nonverbal social cues" (p. 86).

Lane Fountain

myaspergers.net

tourettes-syndrome-decbaal.blogspot.com

Restricted Interests and Repetitive Behaviors

One of the primary characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is restricted and repetitive behaviors, interests, and activities.

The behaviors occur more often and for longer periods of time in children with ASD than in neurotypical individuals, often impacting learning and socializing.

Repetitive Behaviors cont.

Reasons For Repetitive Behaviors &Restricted Interests

Can include:

* Desiring sameness in routines at home/school/work

* Wanting people to behave consistently

* Wanting to play with an object or toys only one way (example: lining up toys in a row according to size or color or only wanting to spin the wheels on a toy car)

* Relieving anxiety and stress - use behaviors and interests as coping strategy

* Persons with autism may use these activities to calm themselves or to block out something that is bothering them (Leekam et al., 2011).

* If individuals on the spectrum are under-responsive to sensory input, they may be engage in specific behaviors or stims with a high degree of movement to get the blood pumping, awaken the body and to aid in mental focus

* Individuals who are bored or overstimulated may resort to behaviors and interests that provide an escape from demands, allowing them to relax

* Restricted patterns of behaviors or interests may simply be a way to occupy themselves with something they enjoy and are good at.

Distinguishing a True Restricted Interest From a Typical Interest

* Amount of time/energy spent learning about the topic

* Amount of sharing with others about the topic

* Amount of information gathered about topic

* Refusal to learn/read/talk about other topics

* Topic may not align with a typical age-related interest. Example: 19 year old who loves Thomas the Train or 2nd grader who knows everything there is to know about Abraham Lincoln

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