Tvang som indikator for angst og stress hos mennesker med autisme

Abstract

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) display a variety of repetitive behaviour. Such conduct is a core feature of ASD. We wanted to observe if there was an association between anxiety and repetitive behaviours among these people. Repetitive behaviour is also a characteristic feature in Obsessive Compulsive disorder (OCD). We wanted to consider similarities and differences between the restricted repetitive behaviour seen in ASD and the one seen in OCD. Terms like compulsions and obsessions have been used to describe the repetitive behaviour seen in people with Autism. For the diagnose OCD, it is a criteria that the compulsions and obsessions are intrusive and unwanted. Because people with Autism have problems expressing themselves, it is difficult to say whether they have a comorbid OCD or if the symptoms are an integrated part of their ASD. The repetitive behaviour seen in people with Autism is in general less complex and organised compared to the behaviour seen in people with OCD. We found that children with Autism reported a higher degree of anxiety than the control groups and that anxiety increases the restricted, repetitive behaviour patterns seen in Autism. Some researches suggest that the repetitive behaviour observed, is a coping strategy these individuals have towards anxiety and stress. For this reason, it is important keeping this in mind while working with individuals with ASD.