Current knowledge on motor disorders in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Abstract

Motor symptomatology in autism is currently poorly understood, and still not included in the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnostic criteria, although some studies suggest the presence of motor disturbances in this syndrome. We provide here a literature review on early motor symptoms in autism, focusing on studies on psychomotor issues (tone, postural control, manual dexterity, handedness, praxis). The approach adopted in research to study altered motor behaviors is generally global and there is no detailed semiology of the motor or neuromotor disorders observed in people with ASD. This global approach does not enable understanding of the neuro-developmental mechanisms involved in ASD. Identification of clinical neuro-psychomotor profiles in reference to a standard would help to better understand the origin and the nature of the disorders encountered in ASD, and would thus give new directions for treatment.

KEYWORDS:

• Autism
• Autism spectrum disorder
• ASD
• Motor skills
• Evaluation
• Early motor development
• Neuromotor skills

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Caisse primaire d’assurance maladie de la Haute-Vienne; the Fondation pour la recherche en psychomotricité et maladies de civilisation.