Motor Characteristics of Young Children Referred for Possible Autism Spectrum Disorder

In Brief Purpose: To examine motor characteristics of children referred for evaluation for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (BSID-III). Methods: BSID-III scores were collected through retrospective chart review for 30 children (mean age = 31.57 ± 6 months) admitted to an outpatient autism evaluation clinic. Results: Children referred to an ASD clinic demonstrated a mean delay of 6 months for gross motor skills and 8 months for fine motor skills. There were no differences in total score or item analysis in group comparisons of motor characteristics in young children who did or did not receive a diagnosis of ASD. Conclusions: These results suggest that a delay in fine and gross motor skills at an early age is a characteristic of infants referred to an ASD clinic. Furthermore, the BSID-III may not be sensitive enough to distinguish between referred children with and without ASD. A delay in fine and gross motor skills at an early age is a characteristic of infants referred to an ASD clinic, but the BSID-III may not be sensitive enough to distinguish between children with and without ASD.