Gross Motor Skills in Children with Autism
The Journal of Child & Adolescent Behavior published research comparing the gross motor skill performance on 21 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 21 age matched peers (5-10 years) using the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD- 2).
The motor performance scores on the TGMD-2 were compared. The following results were recorded:
1. For the locomotor subtest, 67% children with ASD received poor standard scores and 40% of scores were very poor.
2. For object control skills, about 60% children with ASD had poor standard scores and 33% of scores were very poor.
3. For overall gross motor quotient scores, 81% children with ASD were below 79 and classified as poor and about 76% children scored below 70 and received very poor rating.
4. statistical analysis revealed significant performance difference between children with ASD and typically developing children.
The researchers concluded that regardless of how the children with ASD were classified there were delays in gross motor skill performance. This information is important in order to implement appropriate intervention programs that can effectively address the delayed object and locomotor skill performance in children with ASD.
Reference: Liu T, Hamilton M, Davis L, ElGarhy S (2014) Gross Motor Performance by Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Typically Developing Children on TGMD-2. J Child Adolesc Behav 2: 123. doi:10.4172/jcalb.1000123
Photo used with Creative Common License from http://algerblog.blogspot.com/2011_04_01_archive.html
Educational Sensory Motor Activities
Download of an electronic book of 40 reproducible sensory motor activities that incorporate motor skills with learning language arts, reading, math, teamwork, and cooperation.
