19901
The Relation Between Restrictive and Repetitive Behaviors and Family Routine Among Families of Children with Autism
Interventions aimed to benefit children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often emphasize the importance of implementing structure in the home environment (Wetherby & Woods, 2006). These interventions seek to increase predictability for children, thus reducing the potential for anxiety and ensuing challenging behaviors (Vismara & Rogers, 2010). While numerous studies have cited the benefits of routine implementation, little literature has examined the relation between specific characteristics of ASD and family routine (DeGrace, 2004; Schaaf, 2011). Of specific interest is the presence of insistence on sameness and ritualistic behaviors, which are categories of behaviors within the broad core characteristic of restrictive interests and repetitive behaviors (RRBs). Individuals with ASD who exhibit ritualistic behaviors and insistence on sameness seek to maintain rigid and highly routinized environments; however it remains unclear whether these behaviors are related to family structure and routine. The examination of this relation would help to shed light on when and for whom the implementation of family routine is likely to be most beneficial.
Objectives:
The present study sought to examine the relation between restrictive and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) among children with autism and the level of family routine implemented by their parents.
Methods:
Parent responses to the Repetitive Behavior Scale (RBS; Lam & Aman, 2007) were used to assess insistence on sameness and ritualistic behaviors and the Stability of Activities in the Family Environment (SAFE; Israel & Roderick, 2001) to assess family routine among a sample of parents of children with autism. The SAFE specifically measures the regularity of family activities and routines that occur both in the home (e.g. family meals), as well as family supported activities that occur outside the home or without family members. A rating of the overall regularity of routines and activities in the child’s household was used to operationalize family routine for the purposes of the current study. A link to the survey was disseminated via e-mail to parents throughout New York State who were subscribed to a university autism center’s mailing list. Additionally, a link was posted on the center’s website and in a parent organization’s newsletter. Data from 68 parents who completed the online survey were compiled and entered into a database for statistical analysis. A multiple linear regression was run to evaluate the predictability of child RRBs for family routine.
Results:
Multiple regression revealed that child insistence on sameness and ritualistic behaviors significantly predicted family routine, F(1,66)=5.597, p=.021. The two predictor model accounted for eight percent of the variance in parent report of overall family routine.
Conclusions:
Results suggest that RRBs are significantly predictive of family routine. This finding may indicate that families of children with autism accommodate their children’s symptoms of rigidity by adhering to routines in the home. Future longitudinal studies should be conducted to evaluate the directional nature of the relation, thus disentangling whether parental accommodation to child rigidity may reduce child flexibility over time.