Assessment and treatment of stereotypy in infants at risk of autism spectrum disorder

Scully and her team worked with one 10-month-old baby who showed lots of motor stereotypy.

The baby had an older sibling with autism, so doctors watched the baby closely.

Each time the baby rocked or flapped, the adult gently moved the baby’s hands to a toy.

When the baby played with the toy for three seconds, the adult gave praise and a small snack.

They tracked three different stereotypy moves across several weeks.

All three stereotypy moves dropped to almost zero after the toy redirection started.

The baby kept playing with toys even when snacks stopped.

Parents said the baby seemed happier and more alert during daily routines.

Watson et al. (2007) also used toy play to cut stereotypy, but they first taught play with video clips.

Scully skips the teaching step and still wins—redirection alone is enough for a baby.

Esposito et al. (2021) used red and green cards to stop vocal stereotypy in a 7-year-old.

That older child needed clear rules; the baby just needed something fun to touch.

Rispoli et al. (2014) let kids have free stereotypy time before group work.

Scully’s opposite approach—block and redirect—works better for infants because their play skills are still forming.

You can start stereotypy treatment before autism diagnosis.

No fancy tools are needed—just a small toy and quick praise.

Try this during high-chair time, floor play, or stroller waits.

If the baby keeps grabbing the toy, you are on the right track.

Early success may open more learning chances later.