What does the research tell us about gross motor skills and autism? There has been quite a bit of research on the gross motor skill abilities of individuals with autism. A recent study took a closer look using a meta-analysis of the research to determine the motor skill abilities of individuals with autism and how […]
Motor skills are an important aspect of daily living activities for all people, but they can be especially challenging for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Occupational and physical therapists play a vital role in helping adults with ASD develop the motor skills they need to function independently. Recent research took a closer look at […]
Pediatric occupational and physical therapists often evaluate children’s motor skill abilities to determine how these skills affect an individual’s function. Gross motor skills are necessary throughout the day to complete so many activities starting from getting out of bed in the morning, walking throughout school, playing after school and heading up to bed at night. […]
Researchers have observed that children with autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, can experience sensorimotor impairments before they show signs of social and communication symptoms. Poor motor skills in individuals with ASD may affect many tasks such as playing with toys, handwriting, picking up a glass of water, and zipping up a coat, etc. which can […]
A recent research study looked closely at action observation, imitation, and autism. The study wanted to explore how neurologically, motor impairments contribute to the deficits and unique neural signatures of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Precognitive embodied simulation is the ability to understand other people’s actions and intentions and implicitly map other’s actions onto […]
Most children in the United States do not get enough physical activity per day including young children with autism. When children do not get the recommended moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day they are at greater risk for obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, low bone density, asthma, and depression. Research indicates that children who […]
As pediatric therapists, teachers and parents, we often observe children with delayed motor skills and autism. Motor impairments are often present in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). When children are diagnosed with ASD, they are not usually also diagnosed with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). A recent study in Physical Therapy examined the relationship between ASD and […]
If you are a school-based therapist, teacher, or parent you may be looking for suggestions and tips for increasing engagement on the playground for students with autism. It can be a struggle for some students to participate on the playground if they have deficits in motor skills, social skills or sensory processing. Many times, professionals […]
Praxis, Motor Skills, and Autism Spectrum Disorder Research in Developmental Disabilities examined the relationship of praxis, motor skills, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). As pediatric therapists, we are well aware of the basic motor skill deficits in balance, gait, and coordination in children with ASD but it can be hard to establish relationships between cognition, symptom […]
