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Diagnostic criteria: restricted, repetitive behaviours - what counts?

Raegan

I am only at referral stage with my almost 8yo daughter currently, and have just finished filling in the initial forms with all of the current concerns ourselves and the school have.

Thinking forward to assessment, I am just wondering what is considered when they assess restricted and repetitive behaviours? Our daughter does not display any obvious physical manifestations of this in the way of repeated movements, however her thinking and topics of conversation can be very repetitive. One of the problems school have noted is that she often gets stuck on particular negative thoughts or situations, and despite others attempts to offer solutions she seems determined to repeat the issue, with little attempt made to 'work through' the problem. I feel this, and her hobbies/interests are the only areas where these restricted criteria are met.

My question is, as a high functioning individual, will that be enough to warrant an ASD diagnosis? After reviewing the information we have gathered for referral I think we definitely have enough evidence to fulfill the social/sensory aspects, but am unsure of this particular diagnostic criteria.

Can anyone who has been through the assessment process shed any light? 

Parents

  • Hello Raegan,

    I think this covers not just repetative physical movements, but also speech, and whether she talks repeatedly about the same things ie interests as well. I hope this helps.

  • in reply to Catlady31

    That is very helpful, thanks!

    We just want to make sure we give all the pertinent information so she is able to get all the support she needs, regardless of if she gets a diagnosis or not Blush

  • in reply to Raegan

    Please don’t just give pertinent information. Just include everything about her. They will help them to do some reading between the lines.

  • in reply to Martin

    Thanks for your reply Martin - yes that is very true! And hearing your own thoughts has already got me thinking that she enjoys some of those things too. She likes me to 'squeeze' her up into a little ball or into tight hugs, and often tucks herself into tight fitting spaces, as well as taking refuge under the bed covers when she gets overwhelmed.

    The diagnostic criteria is sometimes hard to define and interpret because it can be so varied, so it is really helpful to hear real people's accounts of their own behaviours. Blush

  • in reply to Raegan

    I have never rocked or flapped my hands, so the idea of repetitive behaviours and 'stimming' had me stumped for some time, when I was heading for assessment. It may be that your daughter has behaviours that you are so used to, that you do not recognise them as being repetitive or 'odd'. I eventually recognised that as a child I used to enjoy spinning on the spot rather more than most children and I liked to sit in confined spaces, like cupboards and wardrobes. I have always jiggled my legs and feet when sitting or lying. I pick and bite at the skin at the side of my fingernails and obsessively fiddle with any small mechanical objects that are to hand, like ballpoint pens, corkscrews etc. anything that slides or rotates or clicks.

  • in reply to Catlover

    Yes, we have tried to be as detailed as possible. You feel a lot of pressure don't you, as you're trying to think back to when they hit milestones and how they were as a baby (which is a long time ago for some, I know).

    I am likely over thinking and over stressing! Just want to make sure I don't forget anything and am obviously anxious to support my daughter who is really struggling atm Pensive

    Thanks for the replies. 

Reply
  • in reply to Catlover

    Yes, we have tried to be as detailed as possible. You feel a lot of pressure don't you, as you're trying to think back to when they hit milestones and how they were as a baby (which is a long time ago for some, I know).

    I am likely over thinking and over stressing! Just want to make sure I don't forget anything and am obviously anxious to support my daughter who is really struggling atm Pensive

    Thanks for the replies. 

Children
  • in reply to Martin

    Thanks for your reply Martin - yes that is very true! And hearing your own thoughts has already got me thinking that she enjoys some of those things too. She likes me to 'squeeze' her up into a little ball or into tight hugs, and often tucks herself into tight fitting spaces, as well as taking refuge under the bed covers when she gets overwhelmed.

    The diagnostic criteria is sometimes hard to define and interpret because it can be so varied, so it is really helpful to hear real people's accounts of their own behaviours. Blush

  • in reply to Raegan

    I have never rocked or flapped my hands, so the idea of repetitive behaviours and 'stimming' had me stumped for some time, when I was heading for assessment. It may be that your daughter has behaviours that you are so used to, that you do not recognise them as being repetitive or 'odd'. I eventually recognised that as a child I used to enjoy spinning on the spot rather more than most children and I liked to sit in confined spaces, like cupboards and wardrobes. I have always jiggled my legs and feet when sitting or lying. I pick and bite at the skin at the side of my fingernails and obsessively fiddle with any small mechanical objects that are to hand, like ballpoint pens, corkscrews etc. anything that slides or rotates or clicks.