22/07/2026
I have been saying this for so many years…. Have a read x
This 2026 commentary in Autism Research is an excellent call to action. "Motor Disorders in Autism: From Comorbidity to Core Criterion" addresses the very real probability that motor differences are fundamental in ASD - something I've been discussing for 2 decades.
Clinical takeaways:
*There is a growing body of evidence suggests that motor differences precede emergence of core autistic traits.
*Motor differences are observed during early infancy and toddler years.
*Motor differences are not incidental; they are the earliest observable indicators of altered neurodevelopment trajectory.
*Movement differences are core characteristics of ASD.
*Movement differences include: delayed milestones, disruptions in gait, toe walking and patterns of upper limb movement.
*Embodied cognition teaches us that differences in sensorimotor development can amplify cognitive differences.
Things I'm thinking about:
*Last month I posted an article indicating the position of the pelvis at 3 months is a strong predictor of further motor development. However early movement assessment takes a good deal of skill and training.
*The article recommends paediatricians complete developmental screenings. I absolutely disagree. Paediatric PTs and OTs with expertise in early movement analysis are the most appropriate choice for movement screening.
Please share this article with every professional you know who is providing support to autistic children and their families.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42297632/p
