Stereotypic Movement Disorder

About Stereotypic Movement Disorder

Stereotypic movement disorder involves repetitive, seemingly driven and apparently purposeless motor behavior, such as hand shaking or waving, body rocking, head banging or self biting, that begins in the early developmental period and interferes with social, academic or other activities or may result in self injury. Simple stereotypic movements are common in typically developing young children and are often harmless, so the diagnosis applies only when the behavior causes problems. The movements are often more frequent among people with intellectual developmental disorder and are distinguished from tics by their earlier onset, more fixed pattern and the absence of a premonitory urge. When the behaviors occur as part of autism spectrum disorder, a separate diagnosis is generally not made unless they need specific attention. Behavioral approaches such as habit reversal and differential reinforcement are commonly used, protective measures may be needed when there is a risk of injury, and medication is considered only in some cases.