Premium
Gait function in newly diagnosed children with autism: cerebellar and basal ganglia related motor disorder
Author(s) -
Rinehart Nicole J,
Tonge Bruce J,
Iansek Robert,
McGinley Jenny,
Brereton Avril V,
Enticott Peter G,
Bradshaw John L
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
developmental medicine and child neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.658
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1469-8749
pISSN - 0012-1622
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2006.tb01229.x
Subject(s) - autism , gait , basal ganglia , psychology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , developmental disorder , audiology , medicine , developmental psychology , neuroscience , central nervous system
We investigated gait in newly diagnosed children with autism. From our previous study with 6‐ to 14‐year‐olds, we hypothesized that motor symptoms indicative of basal ganglia and cerebellar dysfunction would appear across the developmental trajectory of autism. Two groups were recruited: children with autism (eight males, three females; mean age 5y 10mo [SD 9mo]; range 4y 4mo‐6y 9mo) and a comparison group of typically developing children (eight males, three females; mean age5y 9mo [SD 1y 1mo]; range 4y 3mo‐7y 2mo). The GAITRite Walkway was used to gather data from average gait and intra‐walk measurements. Experienced physiotherapists analyzed gait qualitatively. Groups were matched according to age, height, weight, and IQ; although not statistically significant, IQ was lower in the group with autism. Spatiotemporal gait data for children with autism were compatible with findings from patients with cerebellar ataxia: specifically, greater difficulty walking along a straight line, and the coexistence of variable stride length and duration. Children with autism were also less coordinated and rated as more variable and inconsistent (i.e. reduced smoothness) relative to the comparison group. Postural abnormalities in the head and trunk suggest additional involvement of the fronto‐striatal basal ganglia region. Abnormal gait features are stable across key developmental periods and are, therefore, promising for use in clinical screening for autism.