Repetitive Behaviour

Repetitive Behaviours in Angelman Syndrome

• Stereotyped behaviours are repetitive or ritualistic movements, postures, or vocalizations that can often appear to others to have no purpose. It’s important to note that these behaviours can be soothing or serve a purpose for the individual, even if they appear meaningless to an observer.
• Our recent research shows that around 8 out of 10 individuals with Angelman syndrome show stereotyped behaviour on a daily basis. Hand stereotypes are the most commonly occurring stereotyped behaviour in Angelman syndrome. Very little research has looked at stereotyped behaviour over time; what research there is suggests that repetitive behaviour continues. An example of stereotyped behaviour can be found in the clip above.
• Other Repetitive Behaviours
  • It was found that other forms of repetitive behaviour including compulsive like behaviours, insistence on sameness, restricted interests and repetitive use of signs, were lower in Angelman syndrome in comparison to six other genetic syndromes.
• Pica and Object Mouthing
  • Many individuals with Angelman syndrome will place objects into their mouths and chew them. Pica (the eating of non-edible materials) is also sometimes reported.
• The Repetitive Behaviour Questionnaire is available to download in the Assessments, Measures & Manuals section of this website. This measure is reliable and valid for individuals with intellectual disability.