Repetitive/restricted behaviours and interests in children with cerebral palsy and autism spectrum disorder

Objective: To inspect the presence and severity of deficits in restricted and/or repetitive behaviours and interests (RRBIs) in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Methods: Children studied (18-35 months of age) belonged to one of three diagnostic groups: children with CP and autism (n = 11), children with CP and Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS; n = 10) and children with a sole diagnosis of CP (n = 15). A one-way, between subjects ANOVA was conducted on the Repetitive Behaviour/Restricted Interests domain of the Baby and Infant Screen for aUtIsm Traits-Part 1 (BISCUIT-Part 1) and followed up with post-hoc tests. Percentage endorsements were also calculated for each item of this domain. Results: Children with CP+autism had significantly greater impairment. No significant differences were found between the CP+PDD-NOS and the CP alone groups. Conclusion: The implications of these findings are discussed.