movement disease motor stereotypies true Orphanet:306765 Stereotypies (or mannerisms) are repetitive movements, postures, or utterances that may be simple (such as body rocking, head banging) or complex (such as finger movements or wrist flexion/extension). They may be primary (seen in otherwise normal individuals) or secondary (associated with autism, intellectual impairment and other disorders). Stereotypies can be distinguished from epileptic automatisms by the characteristic movements (a video of events can be helpful to aid diagnosis). Epileptic automatisms are expected to occur in a person who has impaired awareness, and are seen in association with generalized absence seizures or focal impaired awareness seizures. Epileptic automatisms can occur in association with preserved awareness, in non dominant temporal lobe seizures, however in this situation, other features of temporal lobe seizures are expected to also co-exist. MONDO:0017656