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Published on: April 13, 2011
Locomotion of autistic adults
M Hallett1, M K Lebiedowska, S L Thomas
1Human Motor Control Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md.
Archives of Neurology
|December 1, 1993
Summary
Autism gait analysis revealed mild clumsiness and ankle motion issues in adults. Despite some visible irregularities, core gait parameters remained normal, suggesting a nonspecific motor system disturbance.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Biomechanical analysis
- Autism spectrum disorder research
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition impacting social interaction and behavior.
- Motor system abnormalities are increasingly recognized in individuals with ASD.
- Gait analysis provides objective measures of motor function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gait characteristics in adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
- To compare gait parameters between individuals with ASD and neurotypical controls.
Main Methods:
- Clinical and biomechanical assessments were performed.
- The study included five adults with autism and five age-matched healthy controls.
- Key gait parameters such as velocity, step length, cadence, and ground reaction forces were measured.
Main Results:
- Clinical observations noted mild clumsiness and upper limb posturing in some patients.
- Objective gait parameters including velocity, step length, and cadence were within normal limits.
- A significant finding was the decreased range of motion in the ankle, with some patients showing reduced knee flexion.
Conclusions:
- The gait findings in individuals with autism suggest a nonspecific neurological disturbance affecting the motor system.
- The results do not support a parkinsonian-type disturbance but are suggestive of cerebellar involvement.
- Further research into the specific neurological underpinnings of motor differences in ASD is warranted.
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