Postural sway dynamics in adults across the autism spectrum: a multifactor approach.

The four standing conditions were always presented in the same order, so fatigue or task adjustment may have affected later or earlier conditions. The groups differed in body weight and race, and these variables were used as covariates rather than matched. Not all autistic participants had records or gold-standard diagnostic confirmation; some relied on self-identification and clinical interviews. Most participants were young adults, especially in the 20 to 30 year range, so findings may not apply to older autistic adults. Many autistic participants were taking psychotropic medication, and medication may influence sway. The paper reports 143 analysed participants in the table but says 144 were eligible, so the analysed count is not fully consistent. Autism symptom severity was not included, so sway differences cannot be linked to symptom severity.

The study was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health.

Do not read the sway differences as proof that autism causes balance problems or that balance training will help. The study was observational, did not test an intervention, and groups differed in weight, race, and medication use.