Prevailing Catatonia Features Among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of catatonia features among children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Faisalabad's special education institutes. A quantitative, descriptive survey design was adopted. A 30-item questionnaire, based on DSM-5 criteria for catatonia, was developed and administered to 34 special education teachers selected through convenience sampling. The target population included teachers working directly with children diagnosed with ASD. Catatonia was identified through the presence of at least three symptoms such as catalepsy, waxy flexibility, stupor, mutism, negativism, agitation, posturing, stereotypy, mannerisms, grimacing, echolalia, and echopraxia. Researchers obtained formal permission from school administrations and introduced the study objectives to participating teachers. Each teacher was asked to observe and assess one specific student with ASD using the questionnaire. After one week of observation, completed questionnaires were collected for analysis. Only teachers who had spent considerable time with the students were included in the study to ensure reliable observations. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results revealed that negativism and mutism were the most frequently observed catatonic features among students with ASD. Agitation, waxy flexibility, and posturing were observed at moderate levels. Echolalia, stupor, and stereotypy were less common, while mannerisms, echopraxia, grimacing, and catalepsy appeared rarely. The findings indicate that while a wide range of catatonia symptoms can be present in children with ASD, certain features—particularly negativism, mutism, agitation, and waxy flexibility—are more prominent.