Motor and Tactile-perceptual Skill Differences Between Individuals with High-functioning Autism and Typically Developing Individuals Ages 5-21

Overview

Journal J Autism Dev Disord

Publisher Springer

Date 2012 Feb 10

PMID 22318760

Citations 18

Authors

Sana M N Abu-Dahab

Elizabeth R Skidmore

Margo B Holm

Joan C Rogers

Nancy J Minshew

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

We examined motor and tactile-perceptual skills in individuals with high-functioning autism (IHFA) and matched typically developing individuals (TDI) ages 5-21 years. Grip strength, motor speed and coordination were impaired in IHFA compared to matched TDI, and the differences between groups varied with age. Although tactile-perceptual skills of IHFA were impaired compared to TDI on several measures, impairments were significant only for stereognosis. Motor and tactile-perceptual skills should be assessed in children with IHFA and intervention should begin early because these skills are essential to school performance. Impairments in coordination and stereognosis suggest a broad though selective under-development of the circuitry for higher order abilities regardless of domain that is important in the search for the underlying disturbances in neurological development.

Citing Articles

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