Evaluation of motor coordination of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Autistic Spectrum Disorder is classified as a behavioral or mental neurodevelopmental disorder, which is related to some environmental factor or genetic condition. This study aimed to assess motor coordination in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This research is characterized as a cross-sectional study, field research, with a quantitative approach. Data collection was performed by filling out a questionnaire of the socio-demographic profile and applying the Körper Koordinations Für Kinder test, that detects possible deficits in global motor coordination. The present study had the participation of children between 4 and 11 years old diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, from the Association of Parents of Autistic Children TEAcolher in the municipality of Patrocínio. Twenty-one children were evaluated, 85.7% male, the majority presented verbal communication (95.2%). It was also observed that 16 (76.2%) children had a deficit in coordination. Another finding was that the older the patient, the better the level of global motricity and that the body mass index did not influence the level of global motricity of the children in this study. It is concluded that the child with Autism Spectrum Disorder presents deficit in motor coordination associated with dysfunctions in rhythm, balance, laterality, strength, agility, and speed evaluated by the test above mentioned. Thus, the assessment of motor coordination in these children makes it possible to identify changes in motor development, thus enabling early intervention, favoring adequate child development.