Research hotspots and trend analysis of motor dysfunction in children with autism spectrum disorder based on...

Motor dysfunction is a prevalent yet often overlooked characteristic in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), impacting their daily functioning and overall development. This study employs bibliometric methods to systematically examine the research landscape of motor dysfunction in children with ASD, aiming to identify evolving trends, key focus areas, and future directions. Using CiteSpace software, we conducted a visual analysis of 2602 articles published between 2015 and 2025 from the Web of Science Core Collection. Key findings include: (1) The volume of publications experienced fluctuations, with peaks in 2017 and 2022, followed by a projected decline; (2) Leading contributing disciplines include psychology, neuroscience, and rehabilitation, with the United States, China, and Italy as the most productive countries; (3) Research hotspots center on developmental characteristics, neural mechanisms, and intervention strategies for motor dysfunction; (4) The research focus has evolved through three distinct phases: early emphasis on developmental traits, interim exploration of associations with core ASD symptoms, and recent prioritization of intervention development. These findings not only map the intellectual structure and dynamic progress in this field but also provide a foundational reference for guiding future research, clinical practice, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.