Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What type of movements are often displayed by children with autistic disorder?

1. Random limb movements

2. Repetitive, stereotyped movements

3. Complex choreographed sequences

4. Fluid dance-like motions

The correct answer is: Repetitive, stereotyped movements

Children with autistic disorder often exhibit repetitive, stereotyped movements as a hallmark feature of their condition. These movements can include behaviors such as hand-flapping, rocking back and forth, spinning, or repeating certain phrases or sounds. These actions are typically intended to provide sensory input, self-soothe, or express excitement or anxiety. This behavior often serves a function for children with autism, helping them to manage overwhelming stimuli or express emotions when they may find it difficult to communicate verbally. Understanding that these repetitive movements are common in autism can be crucial for effective assessment and intervention strategies in a clinical setting. While other types of movements, such as random limb movements or fluid dance-like motions, might be present in some children, they do not characterize the core behavioral patterns typically associated with autistic disorder. It's the structured and predictable nature of the repetitive movements that aligns closely with what is observed in children on the autism spectrum.