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Motor Functioning in Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Book cover Comprehensive Guide to Autism

Abstract

Motor impairment is consistently reported in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and may be an early risk factor for core ASD symptomatology. This chapter provides an overview of empirical motor studies in ASD and considers clinical, behavioral, neurophysiological, and neuroimaging studies of motor impairment in ASD. The association between motor impairment and core social communication disturbance is also explored, as well as the high comorbidity between ASD, motor impairment, and other neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Future research which aims to understand the specific motor pattern that may characterize ASD is suggested.

Alongside the core diagnostic features of autism, research has highlighted the significant and pervasive impact of motor dysfunction in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) (Fournier et al., J Autism Dev Disord 40(10):1227–40, 2010). Motor difficulties are commonly associated with ASD and potentially may be considered a “cardinal feature” (Fournier et al., J Autism Dev Disord 40(10):1227–40, 2010) of the disorder. Indeed, there has been an increase in the trajectory of motor research over the past decade, with greater understanding of the underlying neurobiological disruption that characterizes the disorder (Mostofsky et al., Brain 132:2413–25, 2009). This chapter will illustrate the importance of neuromotor assessment as a routine part of the diagnostic process and provide an overview of empirical research in the field.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology, Monash University, School of Psychology, Psychiatry, and Psychological Medicine, 270 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill, VIC, 3168, Australia

    Nicole Papadopoulos

  2. School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Ocular Motor Research Unit, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, Australia

    Nicole Rinehart

  3. School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Building 1, 270 Ferntree Gully Road, 3148, Notting Hill, VIC, Australia

    John Bradshaw

  4. Physiotherapy, Centre for Movement Disorders and Gait Research, Southern Health, The University of Melbourne, Berkely Street, 3010, Parkville, VIC, Australia

    Jennifer McGinley

  5. Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, 3800, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Peter Enticott

  6. Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing Research, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia

    Nicole Rinehart

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  1. Nicole Papadopoulos
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  2. Nicole Rinehart
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  3. John Bradshaw
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  4. Jennifer McGinley
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  5. Peter Enticott
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Correspondence to Nicole Papadopoulos .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Westminster, Faculty of Science & Technology, London, United Kingdom

    Vinood B. Patel

  2. Nutritional Sciences Division and Genomics Centre, King's College London, London, United Kingdom

    Victor R. Preedy

  3. Faculty of Society and Health, Buckinghamshire New University, Middlesex, United Kingdom

    Colin R. Martin

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Papadopoulos, N., Rinehart, N., Bradshaw, J., McGinley, J., Enticott, P. (2014). Motor Functioning in Autism Spectrum Disorders. In: Patel, V., Preedy, V., Martin, C. (eds) Comprehensive Guide to Autism. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4788-7_41

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4788-7_41

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