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While themovements, known as stereotypies, don’t seem to have a specific purpose, they occur in predictable patterns and parts of the body. The episodes may appear several times a day, and last for seconds or minutes. They may interfere with the person’s ability to function or cause them to hurt themselves.

This article explores the symptoms, types, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of stereotypic movement disorder.

The symptoms of this condition typically start to appear within the first three years of a child’s life.They may fade with time or continue into adulthood.

The symptoms may include movements such as:

In adults, the symptoms can include:

The symptoms may be more likely to appear when the person is excited, stressed, fatigued, frustrated, bored, or engrossed. They may recede when the person is distracted.

There are three types of stereotypic movement disorder:

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There are two categories of stereotypic movement disorder:

These are some factors that may play a role in the development of stereotypic movement disorder:

Additionally, using certain stimulant drugs likecocaineoramphetaminesmay cause short but severe bursts of movements. Long-term use of stimulant drugs can lead to longer episodes of movements. The movements cease when the person stops using drugs.

If your child is repeatedly making odd movements, you should take them to their pediatrician for an examination and diagnosis.

The diagnosis process for stereotypic movement disorder may involve:

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Treatment for stereotypic movement disorder may vary depending on the person’s age, the specific symptoms they face, and the causes of the disorder.

Treatment may involve therapy, medication, or other interventions.

Therapy

Behavioral therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy may be able to help with stereotypic movement disorder:

Medication

Medication may be prescribed for children who don’t respond to therapy, to help reduce the symptoms.

However, it’s important to note that there aren’t any specific medications to treat this condition, so the use of medication is rare. Further research is required to develop effective medication to treat this condition.

Other Interventions

If the person is at risk of hurting themselves, it may be helpful to change their environment to make it safer for them.

A Word From Verywell

If your child has stereotypic movement disorder, you may worry about whether they’ll be able to cope with school and be able tomake friends. Discuss your concerns with your child’s healthcare provider and they can help you take actionable next steps.

2 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Katherine M.Stereotypic movement disorders.Semin Pediatr Neurol. 2018;25:19-24. doi:10.1016/j.spen.2017.12.004Shukla T, Pandey S.Stereotypies in adults: a systematic review.Neurol Neurochir Pol. 2020;54(4):294-304. doi:10.5603/PJNNS.a2020.0058Additional ReadingJohns Hopkins Medicine.Motor stereotypies.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Primary motor stereotypies.National Library of Medicine.Stereotypic movement disorder.Medline Plus.Winchester Hospital.Stereotypic movement disorder.

2 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Katherine M.Stereotypic movement disorders.Semin Pediatr Neurol. 2018;25:19-24. doi:10.1016/j.spen.2017.12.004Shukla T, Pandey S.Stereotypies in adults: a systematic review.Neurol Neurochir Pol. 2020;54(4):294-304. doi:10.5603/PJNNS.a2020.0058Additional ReadingJohns Hopkins Medicine.Motor stereotypies.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Primary motor stereotypies.National Library of Medicine.Stereotypic movement disorder.Medline Plus.Winchester Hospital.Stereotypic movement disorder.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Katherine M.Stereotypic movement disorders.Semin Pediatr Neurol. 2018;25:19-24. doi:10.1016/j.spen.2017.12.004Shukla T, Pandey S.Stereotypies in adults: a systematic review.Neurol Neurochir Pol. 2020;54(4):294-304. doi:10.5603/PJNNS.a2020.0058

Katherine M.Stereotypic movement disorders.Semin Pediatr Neurol. 2018;25:19-24. doi:10.1016/j.spen.2017.12.004

Shukla T, Pandey S.Stereotypies in adults: a systematic review.Neurol Neurochir Pol. 2020;54(4):294-304. doi:10.5603/PJNNS.a2020.0058

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Motor stereotypies.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Primary motor stereotypies.National Library of Medicine.Stereotypic movement disorder.Medline Plus.Winchester Hospital.Stereotypic movement disorder.

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Motor stereotypies.

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Primary motor stereotypies.

National Library of Medicine.Stereotypic movement disorder.Medline Plus.

Winchester Hospital.Stereotypic movement disorder.

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