Perseveration

Perseveration is the repetition of a behavior to a marked degree that interferes with other activities. It manifests itself in either a verbal or nonverbal manner, or both. Furthermore, to the outside observer, this repetition may appear purposeless in nature because children will persist despite discouragement and an apparent lack of incentives. It should be noted, however, that perseveration can offer sensory stimulation for some children. In children, perseveration can be characteristic of a variety of mental disorders or syndromes such as mental retardation, communication disorders, pervasive developmental disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, tic disorders, stereotypic movement disorder, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, and obsessive–compulsive disorder. Additionally, perseveration can result from brain injury and substance abuse. In terms of educational implications of perseveration, children who perseverate are likely to experience difficulty focusing on and transitioning between school activities. As such, children may benefit from structured environments, prompting, schedules, and positive reinforcement.