Atypical Impact of Action Effect Delay on Motor Performance in Autism.

Only 20 adults with autism and 20 adults with typical development were analysed, and all had normal or corrected-to-normal vision and IQ within the normal range. The authors note that response time is not the only way to measure motor performance and that other tasks, such as endpoint movement tasks, may be needed. There was large variability within the autism group: approximately a third showed an opposite trend, a similar proportion showed no noticeable impact, and the rest showed a typical effect. Participants were recruited through a university advertisement and a hostel providing living assistance for adults with autism, so the sample may not represent all adults with autism. The analysed sample was 20 adults with autism and 20 adults with typical development after exclusions, and the pre-processing section notes that one adult with typical development was removed because of an Autism Quotient score. The theoretical explanation that atypical sensory processing caused the motor pattern was not tested directly; the authors note this awaits independent examination.

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Do not read the immediate feedback result as proof that a therapy works. The study measured keyboard response time in a laboratory task, and adults with autism did not show the typical slowing across feedback delay levels.