Rules and Routines: Separate or Linked, Essay Example

Children who display autism are subject to a number of affected behaviors that are identified with the onset of autism.  Along with other symptoms such as social development and communication, repetitive behavior is one major area of behaviors that are affected by this neurodevelopmental disorder.  Repetitive behaviors in autism have a number of similarities, yet are different in one symptom area in autism.

Categorization of Repetitive Behavior

The Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R) has categorized the primary forms of repetitive behavior in autistic individuals (Lam and Aman).    In addition to stereotypy, sameness, restricted behavior, and self-injury, which are all under the classification of repetitive behavior, compulsive behavior and ritualistic behavior is identified.  These behaviors, based on their elevated pattern of occurrence and severity, have been identified to autism, as no single behavior is specific to the disorder.

Compulsive and ritualistic behaviors are identified in the RBS-R separately.  Compulsive behavior involves actions that is intended and appears to follow rules, such as placing objects in lines or stacks.  Ritualistic behavior involves routine (Gabriels and Hill 4), where patterns of daily activities can be seen.  For instance, an autistic child may insist upon a dressing ritual as a daily routine.

Differences in Compulsive and Ritualistic Behavior

Looking at compulsive behavior, it can be seen along the lines of rules.  Children with autism are engaged in compulsive behaviors that conform to specific rules.  On the other side, ritualistic behaviors are founded in routine.

From the perspective of compulsive behaviors, these behaviors are not necessarily routed in routine.  A child may engage in a compulsive behavior that is not part of his or her daily routine.  A compulsive behavior may not be associated with a normal behavior in which a child is engaged.

From the perspective of ritualistic behaviors, these routines do not have to conform to rules.  There do not need to be guidelines associated to the routines brought forth by an autistic child.  For instance, part of a child’s dressing routine may not be grounded in any explicit or implicit rules.

Similarities in Compulsive and Ritualistic Behavior

Compulsive and ritualistic behaviors can have a number of similarities.  Beginning with compulsive behaviors, these behaviors can also be seen similar to that of ritualistic behaviors.  An autistic child may have behaviors that he or she engages in in their daily routine.  For instance, a compulsive need to stack toys may become a daily routine.

Ritualistic behaviors can also have the same attributes of those of compulsion.  A daily routine for an autistic child may be rooted in rules and guidelines.  For instance, an autistic child may have a routine at breakfast each day that involves rules and guidelines that are compulsions.

Conclusion

As two major symptoms of repetitive behaviors in autism, there are attributes of compulsive and ritualistic behaviors that seem to bring together, yet keep separate, these two subcategories of autistic behavior.  These two subcategories of autistic behavior are clearly separate in nature.  The behaviors need to qualify them are separate in their foundation.  However, one of these repetitive behaviors can also be seen along the same tendencies of the other.  They demonstrate a close relationship in the tendencies of the behaviors.

Works Cited

Gabriels, Robin L and Dina E Hill. Growing Up with Autism: Working with School-Age Children and Adolescents. New York: The Guilford Press, 2007. Print

Kluth, Paula and  John Shouse. The Autism Checklist: A Practical Reference for Parents and Teachers. San Francisco: John Wiley & Sons, 2009. Print

Lam,  Kristen SL and Michael G Aman. The Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised: independent validation in individuals with autism spectrum disorders. J Autism Dev Disord. 37.5 (2007):855–66. Print.

Sicile-Kira, Chantal. Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Complete Guide to Understand Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Pervasive Development Disorder, and Other ASDs. New York: The Berkley Publishing Group, 2004. Print.