Abstract
Aims: Abnormalities of gross motor function in children with autism are well known
to clinicians but have not received much empirical documentation and, with the exception
of stereotypies, are not among its diagnostic criteria. We recorded the characteristics
of gait and prevalence of toe walking, the range of passive joint mobility, and age
at walking in children with DSM IV autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and in age- and
gender-matched typically developing peers (mean age 4 years 6 months, range 22 months–10 years 9 months). Methods: We evaluated maximum range of mobility at the elbow, wrist, metacarpo–phalangeal,
and ankle joints and videoed children walking and running. Two neurologists blind
to diagnosis independently scored features of gait clinically. Results: Children with
ASDs had significantly greater joint mobility (p < .002), more gait abnormalities (p < .0001), and on average walked 1.6 months later than their non-autistic peers. Interpretation: This study indicates that
attention should be directed to motor abnormalities as well as sociability, communication,
and restricted and repetitive behaviors in individuals with ASDs. Motor deficits add
to children’s other handicaps. They indicate that ASDs affect a broader range of central
nervous system circuitry than often appreciated.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 09, 2012
Accepted:
February 12,
2012
Received in revised form:
February 12,
2012
Received:
July 21,
2011
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 The Japanese Society of Child Neurology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
