Motor Characteristics of Children with Possible Autism

Pediatric Physical Therapy published research on a retrospective chart review of 30 children (mean age 31.57 months (plus or minus 6 months) who were referred to an autism clinic.  According to scores on the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (BSID-III), the children exhibited a mean delay of 6 months in gross motor skills and 8 months in fine motor skills.  Although, overall there was no difference between in total score or item analysis between children who were or were not diagnosed with autism.  The researchers concluded that motor skill delay is a characteristic of young children who are referred to an autism spectrum disorder clinic.  

Reference:   Lane, Alison; Harpster, Karen; Heathcock, Jill. Motor Characteristics of Young Children Referred for Possible Autism Spectrum Disorder. Pediatric Physical Therapy. 24(1):21-29, Spring 2012. doi: 10.1097/PEP.0b013e31823e071a