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Evidence-Based Behavioral Interventions for Repetitive Behaviors in Autism

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Abstract

Restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) are a core symptom of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). There has been an increased research emphasis on repetitive behaviors; however, this research primarily has focused on phenomenology and mechanisms. Thus, the knowledge base on interventions is lagging behind other areas of research. The literature suggests there are evidence-based practices to treat “lower order” RRBs in ASD (e.g., stereotypies); yet, there is a lack of a focused program of intervention research for “higher order” behaviors (e.g., insistence on sameness). This paper will (a) discuss barriers to intervention development for RRBs; (b) review evidence-based interventions to treat RRBs in ASD, with a focus on higher order behaviors; and (c) conclude with recommendations for practice and research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB# 7122, Bondurant Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7120, USA

    Brian A. Boyd

  2. Department of Psychology, North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Stephen G. McDonough

  3. Department of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    James W. Bodfish

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  1. Brian A. Boyd
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  2. Stephen G. McDonough
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  3. James W. Bodfish
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Correspondence to Brian A. Boyd.

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Boyd, B.A., McDonough, S.G. & Bodfish, J.W. Evidence-Based Behavioral Interventions for Repetitive Behaviors in Autism. J Autism Dev Disord 42, 1236–1248 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-011-1284-z

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