1
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You H, Shi J, Huang F, Wei Z, Jones G, Du W, Hua J. Advances in Genetics and Epigenetics of Developmental Coordination Disorder in Children. Brain Sci 2023; 13:940. [PMID: 37371418 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13060940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a developmental disorder characterized by impaired motor coordination, often co-occurring with attention deficit disorder, autism spectrum disorders, and other psychological and behavioural conditions. The aetiology of DCD is believed to involve brain changes and environmental factors, with genetics also playing a role in its pathogenesis. Recent research has identified several candidate genes and genetic factors associated with motor impairment, including deletions, copy number variations, single nucleotide polymorphisms, and epigenetic modifications. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge in genetic research on DCD, highlighting the importance of continued research into the underlying genetic mechanisms. While evidence suggests a genetic contribution to DCD, the evidence is still in its early stages, and much of the current evidence is based on studies of co-occurring conditions. Further research to better understand the genetic basis of DCD could have important implications for diagnosis, treatment, and our understanding of the condition's aetiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haizhen You
- Department of Women and Children's Health Care, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Junyao Shi
- Women and Children Health Care Institution of Pudong District, Shanghai 200021, China
| | - Fangfang Huang
- Department of Women and Children's Health Care, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Zhiyun Wei
- Department of Women and Children's Health Care, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Gary Jones
- NTU Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG1 6AA, UK
| | - Wenchong Du
- NTU Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG1 6AA, UK
| | - Jing Hua
- Department of Women and Children's Health Care, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
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2
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Fears NE, Sherrod GM, Templin TN, Bugnariu NL, Patterson RM, Miller HL. Community-based postural control assessment in autistic individuals indicates a similar but delayed trajectory compared to neurotypical individuals. Autism Res 2023; 16:543-557. [PMID: 36627838 PMCID: PMC10023334 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Autistic individuals exhibit significant sensorimotor differences. Postural stability and control are foundational motor skills for successfully performing many activities of daily living. In neurotypical development, postural stability and control develop throughout childhood and adolescence. In autistic development, previous studies have focused primarily on individual age groups (e.g., childhood, adolescence, adulthood) or only controlled for age using age-matching. Here, we examined the age trajectories of postural stability and control in autism from childhood through adolescents using standardized clinical assessments. In study 1, we tested the postural stability of autistic (n = 27) and neurotypical (n = 41) children, adolescents, and young adults aged 7-20 years during quiet standing on a force plate in three visual conditions: eyes open (EO), eyes closed (EC), and eyes open with the head in a translucent dome (Dome). Postural sway variability decreased as age increased for both groups, but autistic participants showed greater variability than neurotypical participants across age. In study 2, we tested autistic (n = 21) and neurotypical (n = 32) children and adolescents aged 7-16 years during a dynamic postural control task with nine targets. Postural control efficiency increased as age increased for both groups, but autistic participants were less efficient compared to neurotypical participants across age. Together, these results indicate that autistic individuals have a similar age trajectory for postural stability and control compared to neurotypical individuals, but have lower postural stability and control overall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas E. Fears
- University of Michigan, 830 N. University Ave., Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48170, USA
- University of North Texas Health Science Center, School of Health Professions, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX, 76109, USA
- Louisiana State University, 50 Fieldhouse Dr. Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70802, USA
| | - Gabriela M. Sherrod
- University of North Texas Health Science Center, School of Health Professions, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX, 76109, USA
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1720 University Blvd., Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Tylan N. Templin
- University of North Texas Health Science Center, School of Health Professions, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX, 76109, USA
- Southwest Research Institute, 6220 Culebra Rd., San Antonio, TX, 78238, USA
| | - Nicoleta L. Bugnariu
- University of North Texas Health Science Center, School of Health Professions, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX, 76109, USA
- University of the Pacific, School of Health Sciences, 155 Fifth St., San Francisco, CA, 94103, USA
| | - Rita M. Patterson
- University of North Texas Health Science Center, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX, 76109, USA
| | - Haylie L. Miller
- University of Michigan, 830 N. University Ave., Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48170, USA
- University of North Texas Health Science Center, School of Health Professions, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX, 76109, USA
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3
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Automatic Assessment of Motor Impairments in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review. Cognit Comput 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12559-021-09940-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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4
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Lu SC, Rowe P, Tachtatzis C, Andonovic I, Anzulewicz A, Sobota K, Delafield-Butt J. Swipe kinematic differences in young children with autism spectrum disorders are task- and age-dependent: A smart tablet game approach. BRAIN DISORDERS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dscb.2022.100032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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5
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Chua YW, Lu SC, Anzulewicz A, Sobota K, Tachtatzis C, Andonovic I, Rowe P, Delafield-Butt J. Developmental differences in the prospective organisation of goal-directed movement between children with autism and typically developing children: A smart tablet serious game study. Dev Sci 2021; 25:e13195. [PMID: 34800316 PMCID: PMC9287065 DOI: 10.1111/desc.13195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Movement is prospective. It structures self‐generated engagement with objects and social partners and is fundamental to children's learning and development. In autistic children, previous reports of differences in movement kinematics compared to neurotypical peers suggest that its prospective organisation might be disrupted. Here, we employed a smart tablet serious game paradigm to assess differences in the feedforward and feedback mechanisms of prospective action organisation, between autistic and neurotypical preschool children. We analysed 3926 goal‐directed finger movements made during smart‐tablet ecological gameplay, from 28 children with Childhood Autism (ICD‐10; ASD) and 43 neurotypical children (TD), aged 3–6 years old. Using linear and generalised linear mixed‐effect models, we found the ASD group executed movements with longer movement time (MT) and time to peak velocity (TTPV), lower peak velocity (PV), with PV less likely to occur in the first movement unit (MU) and with a greater number of movement units after peak velocity (MU‐APV). Interestingly, compared to the TD group, the ASD group showed smaller increases in PV, TTPV and MT with an increase in age (ASD × age interaction), together with a smaller reduction in MU‐APV and an increase in MU‐APV at shorter target distances (ASD × Dist interaction). Our results are the first to highlight different developmental trends in anticipatory feedforward and compensatory feedback mechanisms of control, contributing to differences in movement kinematics observed between autistic and neurotypical children. These findings point to differences in integration of prospective perceptuomotor information, with implications for embodied cognition and learning from self‐generated action in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wei Chua
- Laboratory for Innovation in Autism, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.,Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Szu-Ching Lu
- Laboratory for Innovation in Autism, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.,Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | | | | | - Christos Tachtatzis
- Laboratory for Innovation in Autism, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.,Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Ivan Andonovic
- Laboratory for Innovation in Autism, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.,Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Philip Rowe
- Laboratory for Innovation in Autism, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Jonathan Delafield-Butt
- Laboratory for Innovation in Autism, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.,Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
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6
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Emanuele M, Nazzaro G, Marini M, Veronesi C, Boni S, Polletta G, D'Ausilio A, Fadiga L. Motor synergies: Evidence for a novel motor signature in autism spectrum disorder. Cognition 2021; 213:104652. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cognition.2021.104652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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7
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Bäckström A, Johansson AM, Rudolfsson T, Rönnqvist L, von Hofsten C, Rosander K, Domellöf E. Motor planning and movement execution during goal-directed sequential manual movements in 6-year-old children with autism spectrum disorder: A kinematic analysis. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2021; 115:104014. [PMID: 34174471 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2021.104014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atypical motor functioning is prevalent in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Knowledge of the underlying kinematic properties of these problems is sparse. AIMS To investigate characteristics of manual motor planning and performance difficulties/diversity in children with ASD by detailed kinematic measurements. Further, associations between movement parameters and cognitive functions were explored. METHODS AND PROCEDURES Six-year-old children with ASD (N = 12) and typically developing (TD) peers (N = 12) performed a sequential manual task comprising grasping and fitting a semi-circular peg into a goal-slot. The goal-slot orientation was manipulated to impose different motor planning constraints. Movements were recorded by an optoelectronic system. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS The ASD-group displayed less efficient motor planning than the TD-group, evident in the reach-to-grasp and transport kinematics and less proactive adjustments of the peg to the goal-slot orientations. The intra-individual variation of movement kinematics was higher in the ASD-group compared to the TD-group. Further, in the ASD-group, movement performance associated negatively with cognitive functions. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Planning and execution of sequential manual movements proved challenging for children with ASD, likely contributing to problems in everyday actions. Detailed kinematic investigations contribute to the generation of specific knowledge about the nature of atypical motor performance/diversity in ASD. This is of potential clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Bäckström
- Department of Psychology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
| | | | - Thomas Rudolfsson
- Department of Psychology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - Erik Domellöf
- Department of Psychology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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8
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Elliott D, Lyons J, Hayes SJ, Burkitt JJ, Hansen S, Grierson LEM, Foster NC, Roberts JW, Bennett SJ. The multiple process model of goal-directed aiming/reaching: insights on limb control from various special populations. Exp Brain Res 2020; 238:2685-2699. [PMID: 33079207 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-020-05952-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Several years ago, our research group forwarded a model of goal-directed reaching and aiming that describes the processes involved in the optimization of speed, accuracy, and energy expenditure Elliott et al. (Psychol Bull 136:1023-1044, 2010). One of the main features of the model is the distinction between early impulse control, which is based on a comparison of expected to perceived sensory consequences, and late limb-target control that involves a spatial comparison of limb and target position. Our model also emphasizes the importance of strategic behaviors that limit the opportunity for worst-case or inefficient outcomes. In the 2010 paper, we included a section on how our model can be used to understand atypical aiming/reaching movements in a number of special populations. In light of a recent empirical and theoretical update of our model Elliott et al. (Neurosci Biobehav Rev 72:95-110, 2017), here we consider contemporary motor control work involving typical aging, Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, and tetraplegia with tendon-transfer surgery. We outline how atypical limb control can be viewed within the context of the multiple-process model of goal-directed reaching and aiming, and discuss the underlying perceptual-motor impairment that results in the adaptive solution developed by the specific group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Digby Elliott
- Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
- Brain and Behaviour Laboratory, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK.
| | - James Lyons
- Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Spencer J Hayes
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Steve Hansen
- School of Physical and Health Education, Nipissing University, North Bay, ON, Canada
| | - Lawrence E M Grierson
- Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Nathan C Foster
- Cognition, Motion and Neuroscience Unit, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - James W Roberts
- Brain and Behaviour Laboratory, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Simon J Bennett
- Brain and Behaviour Laboratory, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
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9
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Casartelli L, Cesareo A, Biffi E, Campione GC, Villa L, Molteni M, Sinigaglia C. Vitality form expression in autism. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17182. [PMID: 33057003 PMCID: PMC7560849 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73364-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The notion of "vitality form" has been coined by Daniel Stern to describe the basic features of action, which may reflect the mood or affective state of an agent. There is general consensus that vitality forms substantiate social interactions in children as well in adults. Previous studies have explored children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)'s ability in copying and recognizing the vitality forms of actions performed by others. In this paper we investigated, for the first time, how children with ASD express different vitality forms when acting themselves. We recorded the kinematics of ASD and typically developing (TD) children while performing three different types of action with two different vitality forms. There were two conditions. In the what condition we contrasted the three different types of action performed with a same vitality form, while in the how condition we contrasted the same type of action performed with two different vitality forms. The results showed a clear difference between ASD children and TD children in the how, but not in the what, condition. Indeed, while TD children distinguished the vitality forms to be expressed by mostly varying a specific spatiotemporal parameter (i.e. movement time), no significant variation in this parameter was found in ASD children. As they are not prone to express vitality forms as neurotypical individuals do, individuals with ASD's interactions with neurotypical peers could therefore be difficult to achieve successfully, with cascading effects on their propensity to be tuned to their surrounding social world, or so we conjecture. If this conjecture would turn out to be correct, our findings could have promising implication for theoretical and clinical research in the context of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Casartelli
- Scientific Institute IRCCS E.MEDEA, Child Psychopathology Department, Theoretical and Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Bosisio Parini Lecco, Italy
| | - A Cesareo
- Scientific Institute IRCCS E.MEDEA, Bioengineering Lab, Bosisio Parini Lecco, Italy
| | - E Biffi
- Scientific Institute IRCCS E.MEDEA, Bioengineering Lab, Bosisio Parini Lecco, Italy
| | - G C Campione
- Scientific Institute IRCCS E.MEDEA, Child Psychopathology Department, Bosisio Parini Lecco, Italy
| | - L Villa
- Scientific Institute IRCCS E.MEDEA, Child Psychopathology Department, Bosisio Parini Lecco, Italy
| | - M Molteni
- Scientific Institute IRCCS E.MEDEA, Child Psychopathology Department, Bosisio Parini Lecco, Italy
| | - C Sinigaglia
- Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Department of Philosophy, Via Festa del Perdono 7, 20122, Milano, Italy.
- Cognition in Action (CIA) Unit, PHILAB, 20122, Milan, Italy.
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10
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Aspects sensorimoteurs et motricité manuelle dans les troubles du spectre autistique : une revue de la littérature. Encephale 2020; 46:135-145. [DOI: 10.1016/j.encep.2019.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 10/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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11
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Torres EB, Rai R, Mistry S, Gupta B. Hidden Aspects of the Research ADOS Are Bound to Affect Autism Science. Neural Comput 2020; 32:515-561. [PMID: 31951797 DOI: 10.1162/neco_a_01263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The research-grade Autism Diagnostic Observational Schedule (ADOS) is a broadly used instrument that informs and steers much of the science of autism. Despite its broad use, little is known about the empirical variability inherently present in the scores of the ADOS scale or their appropriateness to define change and its rate, to repeatedly use this test to characterize neurodevelopmental trajectories. Here we examine the empirical distributions of research-grade ADOS scores from 1324 records in a cross-section of the population comprising participants with autism between five and 65 years of age. We find that these empirical distributions violate the theoretical requirements of normality and homogeneous variance, essential for independence between bias and sensitivity. Further, we assess a subset of 52 typical controls versus those with autism and find a lack of proper elements to characterize neurodevelopmental trajectories in a coping nervous system changing at nonuniform, nonlinear rates. Repeating the assessments over four visits in a subset of the participants with autism for whom verbal criteria retained the same appropriate ADOS modules over the time span of the four visits reveals that switching the clinician changes the cutoff scores and consequently influences the diagnosis, despite maintaining fidelity in the same test's modules, room conditions, and tasks' fluidity per visit. Given the changes in probability distribution shape and dispersion of these ADOS scores, the lack of appropriate metric spaces to define similarity measures to characterize change and the impact that these elements have on sensitivity-bias codependencies and on longitudinal tracking of autism, we invite a discussion on readjusting the use of this test for scientific purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth B Torres
- Psychology Department; Computer Science, Center for Biomedical Imagining and Modeling; and Rutgers University Center for Cognitive Science, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, U.S.A.
| | - Richa Rai
- Psychology Department, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, U.S.A.
| | - Sejal Mistry
- Mathematics Department, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, U.S.A.
| | - Brenda Gupta
- Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ 07043, U.S.A.
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12
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Gamez Corral AS, Manning R, Wang C, Cisneros A, Meeuwsen HJ, Boyle JB. A Novel Approach to Enhancing Upper Extremity Coordination in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Mot Behav 2019; 52:311-317. [PMID: 31232185 DOI: 10.1080/00222895.2019.1618238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies examining children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have revealed kinematic markers highlighting deficits in the preparatory and online phases of upper extremity movements. In the following study, 12 children with high functioning ASD were first assessed (pre-test) on 15 trials of a reciprocal upper extremity Fitts Law target task by flexing and extending their right arm in the horizontal plane between two targets as fast and accurately as possible. Following the initial assessment, the children either continued with 30 additional trials of the target task (control) or were asked to track a sine wave template (experimental). All participants were then assessed on 15 trials of the target test (post-test). Results reveal that tracking the sine wave template during training not only produced faster movements compared to the control but also produced these movements in a more harmonic way.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rhonda Manning
- Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Chaoyi Wang
- Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Jilin University, Jilin Sheng, China
| | - Ana Cisneros
- Department of Kinesiology, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Harry J Meeuwsen
- Department of Kinesiology, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Jason B Boyle
- Department of Kinesiology, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA.,Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
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13
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The Impact of Different Movement Types on Motor Planning and Execution in Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Motor Control 2019; 23:398-417. [PMID: 30696348 DOI: 10.1123/mc.2017-0084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Although there are consistent reports that motor skills are affected in individuals with autism, the details are still debated; specifically, why individuals spend more time preparing movements and whether or not movement execution takes longer. The present study investigated if the conflicting reports were related to: (a) differences in movement type and (b) if longer reaction times were related to the time for motor planning or for force-generation processes. Participants performed three different movement types. People with autism had longer premotor reaction times and movement times for the three-dimensional movements only. We suggest individuals with autism have difficulty planning and executing unconstrained reaching movements specifically. The present results are consistent with evidence that autistic individuals have more difficulty effectively using visual feedback but can use tactile feedback to execute reaching movements efficiently and accurately.
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14
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Rodgers RA, Travers BG, Mason AH. Bimanual Reach to Grasp Movements in Youth With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Psychol 2019; 9:2720. [PMID: 30705654 PMCID: PMC6344405 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Reaching and grasping (prehension) is one of the earliest developing motor skills in humans, but continued prehension development in childhood and adolescence enables the performance of increasingly complex manual tasks. In individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) atypical unimanual reaching and grasping has been reported, but to date, no studies have investigated discrete bimanual movements. We examined unimanual and bimanual reach to grasp tasks in youth with ASD to better understand how motor performance might change with increasing complexity. Twenty youth with ASD (10.1 ± 2.4 years) and 17 youth with typical development (TD) (9.6 ± 2.6 years) were instructed to reach and grasp cubes that became illuminated. Participants were asked to reach out with the right and/or left hands to grasp and lift targets located at near (18 cm) and/or far (28 cm) distances. For the unimanual (simplest) condition, participants grasped one illuminated cube (with either the left or right hand). For the bimanual conditions, participants grasped two illuminated cubes located at the same distance from the start position (bimanual symmetric condition) or two illuminated cubes located at different distances (bimanual asymmetric condition). Significant interactions among diagnostic group, task complexity, and age were found for initiation time (IT) and movement time (MT). Specifically, the older children in both groups initiated and performed their movements faster in the unimanual condition than in the bimanual conditions, although the older children with ASD produced slower ITs and MTs compared to typically developing peers across all three conditions. Surprisingly, the younger children with ASD had similar ITs and MTs as their peers for the unimanual condition but did not considerably slow these times to adjust for the complexity of the bimanual tasks. We hypothesize that they chose to re-use the motor plans that were generated for the unimanual trials rather than generate more appropriate motor plans for the bimanual tasks. An atypical spatiotemporal relationship between MT and peak aperture (PA) was also found in the ASD group. Together, our results suggest deficits in motor planning that result in subtle effects on performance in younger children with ASD that become more pronounced with age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A Rodgers
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Brittany G Travers
- Occupational Therapy Program in the Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Andrea H Mason
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
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15
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Holloway JM, Long T, Biasini F. Concurrent Validity of Two Standardized Measures of Gross Motor Function in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Phys Occup Ther Pediatr 2019; 39:193-203. [PMID: 29608120 DOI: 10.1080/01942638.2018.1432006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
AIMS This study provides information on how two standardized measures based on different theoretical frameworks can be used in collecting information on motor development and performance in 4- and 5-year-olds with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The purpose of the study was to determine the concurrent validity of the Miller Function and Participation Scales (M-FUN) with the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, Second Edition (PDMS-2) in young children with ASD. METHODS The gross motor sections of the PDMS-2 and the M-FUN were administered to 22 children with ASD between the ages of 48 and 71 months. Concurrent validity between overall motor scores and agreement in identification of motor delay were assessed. RESULTS A very strong correlation (Pearson's r =.851) was found between the M-FUN scale scores and the PDMS-2 gross motor quotients (GMQs). Strong agreement in identification of children with average motor skills and delayed motor skills at 1.5 standard deviations below the mean was also found. CONCLUSIONS This study supports the concurrent validity of the M-FUN with the PDMS-2 for young children with ASD. While both tests provide information regarding motor delay, the M-FUN may provide additional information regarding the neurological profile of the child.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie M Holloway
- a Departments of Physical and Occupational Therapy , University of Alabama at Birmingham , Birmingham , Alabama , USA
| | - Toby Long
- b Department of Pediatrics , Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development , Washington , District of Columbia , USA
| | - Fred Biasini
- c Department of Psychology , University of Alabama at Birmingham , Birmingham , Alabama , USA
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Fukui T, Sano M, Tanaka A, Suzuki M, Kim S, Agarie H, Fukatsu R, Nishimaki K, Nakajima Y, Wada M. Older Adolescents and Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder Have Difficulty Chaining Motor Acts When Performing Prehension Movements Compared to Typically Developing Peers. Front Hum Neurosci 2018; 12:430. [PMID: 30405382 PMCID: PMC6206232 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2018.00430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
It is known that motor actions performed by individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are clumsy and a previous study revealed that children with ASD of around 8 years old showed less smooth movement and dysfunction of appropriate usage of online vision for grip aperture control. The present study investigates whether and how the kinematic properties of reach-to-grasp movements in older adolescents and adults with ASD [mean (±SD) age: 18.3 ± 2.1] differ from those in typically developing (TD) peers [mean (±SD) age: 19.1 ± 2.2]. Revealing the kinematic properties of reach-to-grasp movements in older adolescents and adults with ASD is indispensable in determining the developmental trajectory of this motor behavior in individuals with ASD. While wearing liquid crystal shutter goggles, participants reached for and grasped a cylinder with a diameter of either 4 or 6 cm. Two visual conditions were tested: a full vision (FV) condition (the goggles remained transparent during the movement) and a no vision (NV) condition (the goggles were closed immediately after the movement was initiated). These two visual conditions were either alternated with each trial in a single experimental session (alternated condition) or blocked within the session (blocked condition). We found that the reaching movement smoothness calculated as a normalized jerk score (i.e., index of skilled, coordinated human movements) of ASD participants did not differ significantly from that of TD peers although ASD participants showed smoother reaching in the alternated condition than in the blocked condition. The influence of online vision and its visual condition schedule on grip aperture during the in-flight phase was remarkably similar between the ASD and TD groups. Furthermore, we found that ASD group experienced a significant longer transition period from grasping end (i.e., stable holding when touching the surface of the object) to uplift initiation than the TD group. The results suggest that (1) deficits in movement smoothness and the use of online vision for motor control are rectified by the time individuals with ASD reach late adolescence and (2) older adolescents and adults with ASD still have difficulties chaining motor acts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takao Fukui
- Department of Rehabilitation for Brain Functions, Research Institute, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, Tokorozawa, Japan
| | - Misako Sano
- Department of Rehabilitation for Brain Functions, Research Institute, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, Tokorozawa, Japan
- Information and Support Center for Persons with Developmental Disabilities, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, Tokorozawa, Japan
| | - Ari Tanaka
- Department of Rehabilitation for Brain Functions, Research Institute, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, Tokorozawa, Japan
| | - Mayuko Suzuki
- Department of Medical Treatment III (Pediatric and Child Psychiatric Section), Hospital, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, Tokorozawa, Japan
| | - Sooyung Kim
- Department of Medical Treatment III (Pediatric and Child Psychiatric Section), Hospital, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, Tokorozawa, Japan
| | - Hiromi Agarie
- Department of Medical Treatment III (Pediatric and Child Psychiatric Section), Hospital, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, Tokorozawa, Japan
| | - Reiko Fukatsu
- Department of Rehabilitation for Brain Functions, Research Institute, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, Tokorozawa, Japan
- Department of Medical Treatment III (Pediatric and Child Psychiatric Section), Hospital, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, Tokorozawa, Japan
| | - Kengo Nishimaki
- Information and Support Center for Persons with Developmental Disabilities, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, Tokorozawa, Japan
- Department of Medical Treatment III (Pediatric and Child Psychiatric Section), Hospital, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, Tokorozawa, Japan
| | - Yasoichi Nakajima
- Department of Rehabilitation for Brain Functions, Research Institute, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, Tokorozawa, Japan
| | - Makoto Wada
- Department of Rehabilitation for Brain Functions, Research Institute, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, Tokorozawa, Japan
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Moseley RL, Pulvermüller F. What can autism teach us about the role of sensorimotor systems in higher cognition? New clues from studies on language, action semantics, and abstract emotional concept processing. Cortex 2018; 100:149-190. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2017.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Revised: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Fulceri F, Grossi E, Contaldo A, Narzisi A, Apicella F, Parrini I, Tancredi R, Calderoni S, Muratori F. Motor Skills as Moderators of Core Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Preliminary Data From an Exploratory Analysis With Artificial Neural Networks. Front Psychol 2018; 9:2683. [PMID: 30687159 PMCID: PMC6333655 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Motor disturbances have been widely observed in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and motor problems are currently reported as associated features supporting the diagnosis of ASD in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Studies on this issue reported disturbances in different motor domains, including both gross and fine motor areas as well as coordination, postural control, and standing balance. However, they failed to clearly state whether motor impairments are related to demographical and developmental features of ASD. Both the different methodological approaches assessing motor skills and the heterogeneity in clinical features of participants analyzed have been implicated as contributors to variance in findings. However, the non-linearity of the relationships between variables may account for the inability of the traditional analysis to grasp the core problem suggesting that the "single symptom approach analysis" should be overcome. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are computational adaptive systems inspired by the functioning processes of the human brain particularly adapted to solving non-linear problems. This study aimed to apply the ANNs to reveal the entire spectrum of the relationship between motor skills and clinical variables. Thirty-two male children with ASD [mean age: 48.5 months (SD: 8.8); age range: 30-60 months] were recruited in a tertiary care university hospital. A multidisciplinary comprehensive diagnostic evaluation was associated with a standardized assessment battery for motor skills, the Peabody Developmental Motor Scale-Second Edition. Exploratory analyses were performed through the ANNs. The findings revealed that poor motor skills were a common clinical feature of preschoolers with ASD, relating both to the high level of repetitive behaviors and to the low level of expressive language. Moreover, unobvious trends among motor, cognitive and social skills have been detected. In conclusion, motor abnormalities in preschoolers with ASD were widespread, and the degree of impairment may inform clinicians about the severity of ASD core symptoms. Understanding motor disturbances in children with ASD may be relevant to clarify neurobiological basis and ultimately to guide the development of tailored treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Fulceri
- Research Coordination and Support Service, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Enzo Grossi
- Autism Research Unit, Villa Santa Maria Institute, Tavernerio, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Sara Calderoni
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- *Correspondence: Sara Calderoni, ;
| | - Filippo Muratori
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Eggleston JD, Harry JR, Hickman RA, Dufek JS. Analysis of gait symmetry during over-ground walking in children with autism spectrum disorder. Gait Posture 2017; 55:162-166. [PMID: 28458147 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2017.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2016] [Revised: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Gait symmetry is utilized as an indicator of neurologic function. Healthy gait often exhibits minimal asymmetries, while pathological gait exhibits exaggerated asymmetries. The purpose of this study was to examine symmetry of mechanical gait parameters during over-ground walking in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Kinematic and kinetic data were obtained from 10 children (aged 5-12 years) with ASD. The Model Statistic procedure (α=0.05) was used to compare gait related parameters between limbs. Analysis revealed children with ASD exhibit significant lower extremity joint position and ground reaction force asymmetries throughout the gait cycle. The observed asymmetries were unique for each subject. These data do not support previous research relative to gait symmetry in children with ASD. Many individuals with ASD do not receive physical therapy interventions, however, precision medicine based interventions emphasizing lower extremity asymmetries may improve gait function and improve performance during activities of daily living.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John R Harry
- Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences, United States
| | | | - Janet S Dufek
- Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences, United States
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