Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 18, 2026
An Electrophysiology Protocol to Measure Reward Anticipation and Processing in Children
Published on: October 4, 2018
A technological approach to studying motor planning ability in children at high risk for ASD
Insights
This study introduces a novel method for assessing motor planning in children, including those at high risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The approach aims to identify early behavioral markers for risk assessment.
Area of Science:
- Developmental psychology
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is associated with motor difficulties, but specific early risk markers remain elusive.
- Objective, quantitative behavioral analysis in naturalistic settings presents significant challenges.
- Existing methods lack the precision needed for early detection of motor planning deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a new technological and methodological solution for studying motor planning development in children.
- To address the challenges of objective behavioral analysis in non-structured environments.
- To identify potential early markers for children at high risk for ASD.
Main Methods:
- Development of a novel technological and methodological approach for behavioral analysis.
- Focus on objective and quantitative assessment of motor planning abilities.
- Application within a non-structured, ecological environment.
Main Results:
- Preliminary data collected from 12 children.
- Demonstration of the feasibility of the proposed method in a real-world setting.
- Initial insights into motor planning development in the studied cohort.
Conclusions:
- The proposed method offers a promising avenue for the objective study of motor development.
- This approach may aid in the early identification of risk for developmental disorders like ASD.
- Further research is warranted to validate findings and expand the application of the method.
Abstract:
In this work we propose a new method to study the development of motor planning abilities in children and, in particular, in children at high risk for ASD. Although several modified motor signs have been found in children with ASD, no specific markers enabling the early assessment of risk have been found yet. In this work, we discuss the problem posed by objective and quantitative behavioral analysis in non-structured environment. After an initial description of the main constraints imposed by the ecological approach, a technological and methodological solution to these issues is presented. Preliminary results on 12 children are reported and briefly discussed.
