Neuromotor assessment and autistic disorder

Autistic disorder presents in early childhood with marked deviations in social interactions and communication and with a restricted and peculiar range of interests and activities. Although probably a heterogeneous condition, autistic disorder includes a class of individuals who also have subtle neurological impediments manifested as disturbances of movement, balance, posture and gait. We review neuromotor and neurobehavioral assessments for persons with autistic disorder and related conditions to improve the classification of the impairments and to facilitate the utilization of therapies specific for each class.