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Context influences the motivation for stereotypic and repetitive behaviour in children diagnosed with intellectual disability with and without autism
- Authors:
- JOOSTEN Annette V., BUNDY Anita C., EINFELD Stewart L.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 25(3), May 2012, pp.262-270.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Stereotypical and repetitive behaviours are part of normal child development. However while they diminish during the second year in typically developing children they often continue in those with intellectual disability and autism. Motivation seems to change with context, but there is little empirical evidence to support this. Data describing stereotypic behaviours from 279 Revised Motivation Assessment Scales (MAS:R) was evaluated using Rasch analysis. Data were gathered from two groups of Australian children (mean age 9.7 years): Group 1 with intellectual disability (n = 37) and Group 2 with both intellectual disability and autism (n = 37). Behaviour was examined in three contexts: free time, transition and while engaged in tasks. MAS:R distinguishes two intrinsic motivators: enhanced sensation and decreased anxiety and three extrinsic motivators: seeking attention or objects or escape. Significant differences in motivators were observed during free time and transition. No one motivator predominated while children were engaged in tasks. For both groups, sensory enhancement was a more likely motivator in free time and anxiety reduction was a more likely motivator during transition. Transition was the context most likely to influence extrinsic motivators, but there were significant differences between the groups. The authors conclude that context influences the motivation for stereotyped and repetitive behaviours; transition appears to have a particularly powerful effect.
Behaviours in young people with intellectual disability: preliminary findings and implications for injury
- Authors:
- SHERRARD Jennifer, TONGE Bruce J., EINFELD Stewart L.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 22(1), March 1997, pp.39-48.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study is a preliminary analysis of part of a major longitudinal multidisciplinary programme examining psychopathology in young people with intellectual disability. The aim is to assess potential behavioural risk factors for injury in a representative community sample of children and adolescents aged 4-18 years in 5 health regions in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Results show the prevalence of potential injury risk behaviours to be significantly higher in the study group than for young people representative of the general community. Behavioural injury risk patterns in the study group tend to reflect those seen in younger aged children in the general community. These findings suggest that children and adolescents with intellectual disability display behaviours which may increase their risk for injury.