The Behavior and Sensory Interests Questionnaire: Validation in a Sample of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Background: Restricted and repetitive behaviors represent a core diagnostic feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), while sensory interests are thought to be an associated feature of the disorder. Prior research has shown that aberrant repetitive behaviors and sensory interests interfere with environmental exploration, development of play skills, and learning and academic performance in children with ASD. The Behavior and Sensory Interests Questionnaire (BSIQ) is a newly developed interviewer-administered, caregiver-report instrument that comprehensively assesses behaviors across six domains: Stereotyped Behavior, Unusual Sensory Interests/Aversions, Compulsive and Ritualistic Behavior, Rigidity, Aggressive/Self-Injurious Behavior, Language Perseveration, and Perseverative Interests.  

Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the psychometric properties of the BSIQ in a large cohort of children with ASD.

Methods: BSIQ data has been collected on a sample of 150 children (83% male; mean age = 7.94 years) with ASD as part of a larger study investigating phenotypic and genetic factors in ASD. ASD diagnoses were confirmed using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised. Data collection for test-retest and inter-rater reliability is ongoing (target n = 60-100).

Results: Data analysis is currently underway. Preliminary analysis suggests excellent internal consistency among scale items (Chronbach’s alpha = .91). An exploratory factor analysis will be conducted to determine the underlying factor structure of the BSIQ. In addition, test-retest and inter-rater reliability analyses will be conducted.  

Conclusions: The BSIQ appears to be a feasible instrument for measuring restricted and repetitive behaviors and aberrant sensory interests in children with ASD. Implications for the use of the BSIQ across research and clinical settings will be presented. Finally, avenues for future research, including a comparison of the BSIQ across various developmental disorders, will be discussed.