Motor development in children at risk of autism: a follow-up study of infant siblings
Hayley C Leonard1, Rachael Bedford, Tony Charman
11Goldsmiths, University of London, UK.
Insights
Early motor difficulties in infants may predict later challenges in motor skills, social communication, and cognition in children at high risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This research highlights motor skills as a potential early indicator for ASD-related traits.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasingly associated with motor skill impairments.
- The role of motor development as a core feature or risk factor in ASD requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To longitudinally assess motor skill development in high-risk infants.
- To examine the relationship between early motor skills and later developmental outcomes, including social communication and cognition, in children at risk for ASD.
Main Methods:
- A prospective longitudinal study of 20 children with an older sibling diagnosed with ASD.
- Children were assessed at 9 and 40 months, with comprehensive follow-up evaluations at 5-7 years, including motor, face processing, IQ, and diagnostic assessments.
Main Results:
- A significant proportion of high-risk children exhibited motor difficulties at follow-up.
- Early reported motor difficulties correlated with lower face processing scores and increased autism-related social symptoms at 5-7 years, independent of IQ.
Conclusions:
- Early motor difficulties may serve as a risk factor for later motor impairment and differences in social communication and cognition associated with ASD.
- Motor skill assessment in infancy could offer valuable insights into developmental trajectories related to ASD.
Abstract:
Recently, evidence of poor or atypical motor skills in autism spectrum disorder has led some to argue that motor impairment is a core feature of the condition. The current study uses a longitudinal prospective design to assess the development of motor skills of 20 children at increased risk of developing autism spectrum disorder, who were recruited and tested at 9 and 40 months of age, on the basis of having an older sibling diagnosed with the condition. All children completed a range of motor, face processing, IQ and diagnostic assessments at a follow-up visit (aged 5-7 years), providing a detailed profile of development in this group from a number of standardised, parental report and experimental measures. A higher proportion of children than expected demonstrated motor difficulties at the follow-up visit and those highlighted by parental report as having poor motor skills as infants and toddlers were also more likely to have lower face processing scores and elevated autism-related social symptoms at 5-7 years, despite having similar IQ levels. These data lend support to the argument that early motor difficulties may be a risk factor for later motor impairment as well as differences in social communication and cognition, traits that are related to autism spectrum disorder.
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