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Updated: Jul 20, 2026
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Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Published on: April 22, 2015
Hand preferences in sign-learning students with autistic disorder
J D Bonvillian1, E T Gershoff, B C Seal
1Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22904-4400, USA. jdb5b@virginia.edu
Laterality
|October 30, 2004
Summary
Autistic students showed less hand preference for sign language compared to typically developing children. Handedness in autism was not strongly linked to cognitive or motor development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Linguistics
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting social interaction and communication.
- Hand preference, or lateralization, is a fundamental aspect of motor control and cognitive function.
- Understanding hand preference in nonspeaking autistic individuals is crucial for communication and developmental assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document hand preferences in nonspeaking autistic individuals during sign production and nonsign actions.
- To investigate associations between sign-language proficiency, hand preference consistency, and cognitive/motor development in autism.
- To compare hand preferences in autistic individuals with sign-learning children without developmental concerns.
Main Methods:
- Video analysis of hand use in 14 nonspeaking students with autistic disorder during signing and nonsigning tasks.
- Assessment of hand preference (right, left, or mixed) for both action types.
- Comparison of hand preference data with standardized cognitive and motor development measures and with control groups.
Main Results:
- Autistic students exhibited less lateralization in signing hand preference compared to control groups.
- No significant links were found between sign-language proficiency, cognitive maturity, or motor development and strong hand preference in autistic students.
- Hand preference for nonsign actions did not differ significantly between autistic students and controls.
Conclusions:
- Nonspeaking autistic individuals show reduced hand lateralization for sign production.
- Hand preference in autism is not strongly correlated with cognitive or motor development metrics.
- Further research is needed to understand the neurobiological underpinnings of lateralization in autism and its impact on communication.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
01:25Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities are cognitive disorders caused by neurological impairments that affect cognitive functions like language and reading, without indicating overall intellectual or developmental challenges. These disabilities differ from global intellectual or developmental disabilities as they are limited to distinct cognitive functions. Common learning disabilities include dysgraphia, dyslexia, and dyscalculia, each of which impacts unique aspects of learning.
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