Shiloh Gal, Gal Eynat, David Ayelet, Kohn Elkana, Hazan Ariela, Stolar Orit
Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Social Welfare & Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3490002, Israel.
Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Shamir Medical Center (Assaf Harofeh), Zerifin 6093000, Israel.
Children (Basel). 2023 Apr 19;10(4):742. doi: 10.3390/children10040742.
Restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests (RRBI) are a significant component in diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD). They often pose the main challenge in day-to-day functions for children with ASD and their families. Research addressing family accommodation behaviors (FAB) in the ASD population is scarce, and associations with the characteristics of the children's behaviors are unclear. This sequential mixed-methods study assessed the correlation between RRBI and FAB within the ASD group to deepen the understanding of parents' subjective experiences regarding their children's RRBI. It included a quantitative phase with a follow-up qualitative study. A total of 29 parents of children with autism (5-13 yr) completed the study questionnaires; a total of 15 also were interviewed regarding their children's RRBI and related FAB. We used the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R) to assess RRBI, and the Family Accommodation Scale (FAS-RRB) to assess FAS. In-depth interviews from phenomenological methodology were used in the qualitative phase. We found significant positive correlations between the RRBI and FAB overall and their subscores. Qualitative research supports these findings, adding descriptive examples of the accommodations families make to address the RRBI-related challenges. The results indicate relations between RRBI and FAB and the importance of practically addressing children with autism's RRBI and their parents' experiences. Both affect and are affected by the children's behaviors.
受限及重复行为与兴趣（RRBI）是诊断自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）的一个重要组成部分。它们常常给患有ASD的儿童及其家庭的日常功能带来主要挑战。针对ASD人群中家庭适应行为（FAB）的研究很少，且与儿童行为特征的关联尚不清楚。这项序列混合方法研究评估了ASD组中RRBI与FAB之间的相关性，以加深对父母关于其子女RRBI的主观体验的理解。它包括一个定量阶段和一项后续定性研究。共有29名自闭症儿童（5 - 13岁）的家长完成了研究问卷；共有15名家长还就其子女的RRBI及相关FAB接受了访谈。我们使用重复行为量表修订版（RBS - R）来评估RRBI，使用家庭适应量表（FAS - RRB）来评估FAB。定性阶段采用了现象学方法进行深入访谈。我们发现RRBI与FAB总体及其子分数之间存在显著正相关。定性研究支持了这些发现，补充了家庭为应对与RRBI相关挑战所做出的适应行为的描述性例子。结果表明了RRBI与FAB之间的关系，以及切实解决自闭症儿童的RRBI及其父母体验的重要性。两者都受儿童行为的影响并对其产生影响。
