Analysis of the motor performance of children with ASD and its relationship with personal and contextual variables

Abstract

Background

A high number of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) present motor deficits. The objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate the motor performance of children with ASD and (2) to analyze the influence that sociodemographic variables and difficulties related to learning have in the development of motor deficits.

Method

Participants were 23 boys and 5 girls with ASD between 4-14 years old. Impairments in motor development were evaluated using the Movement assessment battery for children-2 (MABC-2). Parents provided information on the personal and contextual variables of the participants through a sociodemographic questionnaire and they reported the motor skills of their children through the Checklist of the MABC-2.

Results

The results suggest that most children with ASD present difficulties in balance and in fine and gross motor skills. Likewise, the analysis of the χ² tests suggested that curricular adaptations, the presence of siblings and traits such as impulsivity, hyperactivity and speech difficulties are factors related to their motor development.

Conclusions

The findings highlight the need to address these difficulties from an early age to stimulate and encourage their development.

Keywords:

• ASD
• MABC-2
• motor skills
• balance
• hyperactivity
• impulsivity

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any potential conflict of interest.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the UJI-A2017-03 funding project, the professional services for manuscript revision and editing assistance, and specially all the participants involved in the study.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Jaume I University of Castellon under UJI-A2017-03 and PREDOC/2016/53