Levels of Gross and Fine Motor Development in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare levels of gross motor (GM) and fine motor (FM) development in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and to compare their levels of GM and FM development with children with developmental delay (DD) without ASD. Thirty-eight children (ASD group: n = 19; DD group: n = 19) between 21 and 41 months of age were assessed using the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, Second Edition (PDMS-2). Using PDMS-2 classifications as well as differences between standard scores, each child was placed in one of three motor profiles based on the child's relative levels of GM and FM skills (GM = FM, GM > FM, and GM < FM). The results showed that most of the children with ASD had generally similar levels of GM and FM development. The motor profiles of children with ASD were analogous to those of children with DD.