Visual organization and perceptual closure are related to compulsive-like behavior in typically developing children

The relationship between visual organization, perceptual closure, and "comp ulsive-like" behaviors were examined in a sample of young children. Fifty-o ne preschool-aged children were administered a variety of measures assessin g visual organization and perceptual closure, and embedded-figures performa nce. Parents reported on their children's compulsive-like behaviors (i.e., "Just Right" perceptions and repetitive behaviors). Children's performance on visual organization and perceptual-closure tasks were significantly rela ted to their compulsive-like behaviors, and these associations were mediate d by mental age. The results further validate the Childhood Routines Invent ory (CRI) and highlight the sensory/perceptual components of the construct of normative compulsive-like behavior in young children.