Motor signs distinguish children with high functioning autism and Asperger's syndrome from controls

Eva M. Jansiewicz, Melissa C. Goldberg, Craig J. Newschaffer, Martha B. Denckla, Rebecca Landa, Stewart H. Mostofsky

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

263 Scopus citations

Abstract

While many studies of motor control in autism have focused on specific motor signs, there has been a lack of research examining the complete range of subtle neuromotor signs. This study compared performance on a neurologic examination standardized for children (PANESS, Physical and Neurological Exam for Subtle Signs, Denckla [1974 Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 16(6), 729-741]) between a group of 40 boys aged 6-17 with autism and average range IQs and a group of 55 typically developing boys. The Autism group was shown to have significant impairment on several measures of motor control compared to the Control group. Regression analyses revealed that a model including four PANESS variables offered a high level of discrimination in distinguishing boys with high-functioning autism from controls.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)613-621
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Volume36
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2006

Keywords

  • Balance
  • Coordination
  • Dysrhythmia
  • Gait
  • Motor Speed
  • Overflow

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Motor signs distinguish children with high functioning autism and Asperger's syndrome from controls'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this