A Comparative Study On Fundamental Motor Skill Development Between Children With And Without Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorders(ASD),also known as Autism,is a complex developmental disorder with a biological basis.The fifth edition of the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders,one of the most authoritative diagnostic criteria for classification of mental disorders worldwide(i.e.,DSM-V),defines that the core symptoms of ASD include social and communication difficulties and limited,repetitive and stereotyped behaviors.Researchers have found that the majority of autistic children have motor difficulties and one of the obvious symptoms of autism children show delays in motor development.Although international scholars have explored the differences of motor skills between typically developing children and children with ASD,the relevant study in China has been rare.The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences of fundamental motor skills between children with ASD and children who are typically developing.Participants include a group of 28 children with clinically-diagnosed ASD and a group of 28 age-and-gender matched peers who are typically developing.Using Movement Assessment Battery for Children(MABC)as the evaluation tool,I compared the differences on manual dexterity,aiming and catching,balance,and overall basic motor ability.Results showed that:1.Children with ASD showed lower scores in all categories of MABC tests than their age-and-gender matched peers;2.With the increasing age,the performance gap between the children with ASD and their matched peers also increased on all four motor ability dimensions;3.gender difference was not evident in each age group;4.the ASD children with low individualized education profile showed poorer performance in balance and basic motor ability than those with high individualized education profile.No performance differences were found on manual dexterity and aiming and catching between children with low and high individualized education profile.The current findings support the importance of individualized educational program for children in ASD in education,especially in physical education and physical activity enhancement.