Slower pace in early walking onset is related to communication, motor skills, and adaptive function in autistic toddlers.
Rujuta B Wilson, Emma D Burdekin, Nicholas J Jackson and 5 others
PMID 38009228WHAT IT FOUND
Autistic toddlers walked slower than peers even when matched for age and ability.
Slower walking speed was linked to lower scores in communication, daily living skills, and motor function. Clinicians should assess gait quality, not just the age walking started, as delayed onset is not required for motor differences.
Key findings
01Toddlers with ASD demonstrated significantly slower gait pace, characterized by lower velocity, cadence, and step length, compared to typically developing children, even when matched for chronological and mental age.
02Within the ASD group, slower gait velocity was significantly associated with lower scores in all four domains of adaptive behavior: communication, daily living skills, socialization, and motor skills.
03The average age of walking onset for the ASD group was within the normal range (12.8 months), indicating that typical milestone achievement does not rule out atypical gait quality.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study was cross-sectional, so it cannot determine the trajectory of gait development or causal relationships between gait and other developmental domains. The typically developing group did not have the same detailed developmental assessments (mental age) as the ASD group, which may limit the precision of matching. The sample size was relatively small (51 ASD, 45 TD). Walking onset age was based on parent report, which may be subject to recall bias.
Declared interests
The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that a child who walked on time has typical motor development. This study found significant differences in gait pace in autistic toddlers whose average walking onset was within the normal range. Relying solely on milestone achievement may miss clinically relevant motor impairments.