Gait disturbances in patients with autistic behavior: a preliminary study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Pediatrics
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition.
• Motor differences are increasingly recognized as a characteristic of ASD.
• Understanding gait abnormalities may provide insights into underlying neurological mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To perform a kinesiologic analysis of gait in autistic children.
• To compare gait parameters between autistic, normal, and hyperactive-aggressive children.
• To explore potential links between autistic gait patterns and motor system dysfunction.

Main Methods:

• Kinesiologic analysis of gait.
• Involved 21 autistic, 15 typically developing, and 5 hyperactive-aggressive children.
• Detailed assessment of kinematic parameters during walking.

Main Results:

• Autistic children displayed significantly reduced stride lengths and increased stance times.
• Key differences included increased hip flexion at toe-off and decreased knee extension and ankle dorsiflexion at ground contact.
• Gait patterns in autistic subjects showed similarities to those observed in Parkinsonian patients.

Conclusions:

• Autistic children exhibit specific, quantifiable gait abnormalities.
• These findings support the hypothesis of motor system dysfunction in ASD.
• Potential involvement of the basal ganglia is suggested by the observed gait characteristics.