Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Review of Associated Features and Presentation Across Clinical Populations

Abstract

Restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) are a core feature of autism spectrum disorder, though relatively under-studied compared to social communication deficits. The focus of this review is individual differences in RRBs, associated features, and change in presentation of RRBs over development. Additionally, a review of repetitive behaviors in typical development as well as other diagnostic categories is presented, with the goal of increasing our understanding of the function and prevalence of RRBs across diagnostic categories and across development more broadly. There is an increasing recognition in the field that ASD symptoms are quite often observed in other neurodevelopmental disabilities, warranting continued investigation of the prevalence, patterns, and underlying etiology across groups. In the past decade, research has increasingly explored RRBs in ASD, contributing a greater awareness of the influence developmental and individual factors have on their presentation. Currently, there is a growing trend for studies to examine RRBs trans-diagnostically in order to increase understanding of the underlying etiology and developmental trajectory of this behavioral phenotype.