Abstract
BackgroundPoor motor and social skills as well as peer victimization are commonly reported in both ADHD and autism spectrum disorder. Positive relationships between poor motor and poor social skills, and between poor social skills and peer victimization, are well documented, but the relationship between poor motor skills and peer victimization has not been studied in psychiatric populations.Method277 patients (133 males, 144 females), mean age 31 years, investigated for ADHD or autism spectrum disorder in adulthood and with normal intelligence, were interviewed about childhood peer victimization and examined for gross motor skills. The parents completed a comprehensive questionnaire on childhood problems, the Five to Fifteen. The Five to Fifteen is a validated questionnaire with 181 statements that covers various symptoms in childhood across eight different domains, one of them targeting motor skills. Regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between motor skills and the risk and duration of peer victimization, adjusted for sex and diagnosis.ResultsVictims were described as more clumsy in childhood than their non-victimized counterparts. A significant independent association was found between reportedly poor childhood gross motor skills and peer victimization (adjusted odds ratio: 2.97 [95% confidence interval: 1.46-6.07], n = 235, p = 0.003). In adulthood, the victimized group performed worse on vertical jumps, a gross motor task, and were lonelier. Other factors that were expected to be associated with peer victimization were not found in this highly selected group.ConclusionPoor gross motor skills constitute a strong and independent risk factor for peer victimization in childhood, regardless of sex, childhood psychiatric care and diagnosis.
Highlights
Poor motor and social skills as well as peer victimization are commonly reported in both attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder
A significant independent association was found between reportedly poor childhood gross motor skills and peer victimization
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at increased risk for being victimized by peers [11,12], presumably explained by the poor social skills that are integrated in the clinical presentation
Summary
Poor motor and social skills as well as peer victimization are commonly reported in both ADHD and autism spectrum disorder. Associated risk factors for being victimized are low socioeconomic status, belonging to a minority group, being overweight, being perceived as deviant (e.g. physical appearance), learning disabilities, poor social skills Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at increased risk for being victimized by peers [11,12], presumably explained by the poor social skills that are integrated in the clinical presentation. 50% of children with ADHD [17,18] and 60-80% of children with ASD have poor motor coordination [19,20] compared with 6% in the general population [21]. The persistence of motor signs into adulthood may indicate atypical neurological development [26]
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