Motor skills predict adaptive behavior in autistic children and adolescents.
Nicholas E Fears, Stephanie A Palmer, Haylie L Miller
PMID 35322578WHAT IT FOUND
Motor skills, especially manual dexterity, were associated with adaptive behavior scores in autistic children and adolescents even when IQ and autism severity were considered.
Higher movement or manual dexterity scores went with higher daily living, communication, and socialization scores.
Key findings
01Movement total scores predicted adaptive behavior scores after age, ADOS-2 severity, and full-scale IQ were included (movement total b = 1.81, p = 0.022; full model R2 = 0.31).
02Manual dexterity predicted adaptive behavior after age, ADOS-2 severity, IQ components, and other motor components were included (manual dexterity b = 2.12, p = 0.036; full model R2 = 0.35).
03Adaptive behavior scores were lower than expected from IQ scores (mean difference = 25.38, t = 8.91, p < 0.001; IQ mean = 103.87, adaptive behavior mean = 78.49).
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study included 45 participants and used exploratory correlations and regressions, so the findings need replication. It was observational, so it cannot show that motor difficulties cause lower adaptive behavior or that improving motor skills will improve adaptive behavior. Participants were excluded for many conditions and for full-scale IQ below 70, so results may not apply to autistic children with intellectual disability or complex medical needs. Adaptive behavior was reported by guardians, which can be influenced by expectations and daily observation. The paper did not test any treatment, so it does not provide efficacy evidence for motor or dexterity interventions.
Declared interests
The authors declared no potential conflict of interest. The study was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institutes of Health.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these findings as proof that motor or dexterity training will improve adaptive behavior. The study measured associations in 45 autistic children and adolescents, not an intervention, and the models included age, IQ, and autism severity.