Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by significant deficits in social interaction and cognitive abilities, along with atypical behavioral patterns, such as repetitive movements. These features often lead to communication impairments, resulting in social isolation and marginalization. This study aims to investigate the relationship between communication skills and repetitive behaviors among children with ASD.
Materials & Methods: In the current study, a sample of 45 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD group) was systematically selected from autism centers in Tehran, while 45 typically developing children (control group), matched for age and gender, were recruited from kindergartens. The Children’s Communication Checklist (CCC) was administered to rigorously assess participants' communication competencies. Additionally, the Repetitive Behaviors Scale (RBS) was employed to quantitatively evaluate the prevalence and specific characteristics of repetitive behaviors exhibited by the subjects.
Findings: According to the descriptive analysis, the participants' average age ranged from 5 to 12 years. Furthermore, the analytical results revealed a statistically significant association between communication skills and repetitive behaviors (p < 0.05, r = 0.7). The outcomes of this investigation suggest a significant correlation between communication abilities and repetitive behaviors in children on the autism spectrum.
Conclusions: This study finds a significant relationship between communication skills and repetitive behaviors in children on the autism spectrum. Reducing behavioral issues may improve communication skills, thereby enhancing quality of life for these children and their families. The results can help rehabilitation professionals, especially speech and language therapists, improve their services.