Typically Developing Adolescents Research Articles

76. Better Learning Performance is Differentially Related to Neural Responses to Unsigned Prediction Errors Across Age in ADHD and Typically-Developing Adolescents

76. Better Learning Performance is Differentially Related to Neural Responses to Unsigned Prediction Errors Across Age in ADHD and Typically-Developing Adolescents

Exploring intervention strategies to enhance face recognition abilities in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: assessing the impact of verbalization and Navon tasks

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of two intervention strategies – identifying the global letter of Navon letters and verbally describing a face – in improving face recognition abilities of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).Design/methodology/approachA total of 15 adolescents with ASD and 15 typically developing (TD) adolescents participated in this study, which consisted of three experimental conditions: verbalization, Navon and control. Participants were presented with a target face for a short period of time, then completed a task specific to the condition in a counterbalanced order, followed by a face recognition task.FindingsThe results of this study showed no significant interaction effects between groups and conditions, either in accuracy or reaction time. However, TD adolescents performed better than ASD adolescents in terms of accuracy. In addition, the verbalization condition resulted in better performance with slower response times compared to the control condition.Originality/valueThese findings suggest that verbalization may be a useful strategy to enhance face recognition abilities in ASD and TD individuals.

Machine learning based identification of structural brain alterations underlying suicide risk in adolescents

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for individuals between 15 and 19 years of age. The high suicide mortality rate and limited prior success in identifying neuroimaging biomarkers indicate that it is crucial to improve the accuracy of clinical neural signatures underlying suicide risk. The current study implements machine-learning (ML) algorithms to examine structural brain alterations in adolescents that can discriminate individuals with suicide risk from typically developing (TD) adolescents at the individual level. Structural MRI data were collected from 79 adolescents who demonstrated clinical levels of suicide risk and 79 demographically matched TD adolescents. Region-specific cortical/subcortical volume (CV/SCV) was evaluated following whole-brain parcellation into 1000 cortical and 12 subcortical regions. CV/SCV parameters were used as inputs for feature selection and three ML algorithms (i.e., support vector machine [SVM], K-nearest neighbors, and ensemble) to classify adolescents at suicide risk from TD adolescents. The highest classification accuracy of 74.79% (with sensitivity = 75.90%, specificity = 74.07%, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 87.18%) was obtained for CV/SCV data using the SVM classifier. Identified bilateral regions that contributed to the classification mainly included reduced CV within the frontal and temporal cortices but increased volume within the cuneus/precuneus for adolescents at suicide risk relative to TD adolescents. The current data demonstrate an unbiased region-specific ML framework to effectively assess the structural biomarkers of suicide risk. Future studies with larger sample sizes and the inclusion of clinical controls and independent validation data sets are needed to confirm our findings.

Resting Heart Rate Variability and Emotion Dysregulation in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Emotion dysregulation is common among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study examined the relationship between emotion dysregulation and resting heart rate variability (HRV), a marker of the autonomic nervous system, in ASD adolescents. Resting HRV data were collected from ASD (n = 23) and typically developing (TD) adolescents (n = 32) via short-term electrocardiogram. Parents/caregivers reported participants' level of emotion dysregulation with the Emotion Dysregulation Inventory (EDI). Controlling for the effects of age and gender, regression analyses revealed moderating effects of group, suggesting that lower resting HRV was more strongly associated with greater emotion dysregulation in ASD than TD adolescents. The results support the view that disruptions in autonomic functioning may contribute to emotion dysregulation in ASD.

Effect of Emotional Valence on Emotion Recognition in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This study investigated how emotional valence of a perceived emotional state impacted performance on the Reading the Mind in the Eyes task (RMET) in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typically developing (TD) controls. Valence of items on the RMET, Adult (RMET-A) and Child (RMET-C) versions, was first classified in a survey of 113 medical students. Adolescents with ASD (N = 33) and TD adolescents (N = 30) were administered both RMET versions. Individuals with ASD made more errors than TD controls on positive and negative, but not neutral, valence items. The difference in performance was accentuated on the RMET-A compared to the RMET-C. Both emotional valence and complexity of language contribute to RMET performance in individuals with ASD.

Mapping access to meaning in adolescents with autism: Atypical lateralization and spatiotemporal patterns as a function of language ability

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) vary in their language abilities, associated with atypical patterns of brain activity. However, few studies have examined the spatiotemporal profiles of lexico-semantic processing in ASD, particularly as a function of language heterogeneity. Thirty-nine high-functioning adolescents with ASD and 21 typically developing (TD) peers took part in a lexical decision task that combined semantic access with demands on cognitive control. Spatiotemporal characteristics of the processing stages were examined with a multimodal anatomically-constrained magnetoencephalography (aMEG) approach, which integrates MEG with structural MRI. Additional EEG data were acquired from a limited montage simultaneously with MEG. TD adolescents showed the canonical left-dominant activity in frontotemporal regions during both early (N250m) and late (N400m) stages of lexical access and semantic integration. In contrast, the ASD participants showed bilateral engagement of the frontotemporal language network, indicative of compensatory recruitment of the right hemisphere. The left temporal N400m was prominent in both groups, confirming preserved attempts to access meaning. In contrast, the left prefrontal N400m was reduced in ASD participants, consistent with impaired semantic/contextual integration and inhibitory control. To further investigate the impact of language proficiency, the ASD sample was stratified into high- and low-performing (H-ASD and L-ASD) subgroups based on their task accuracy. The H-ASD subgroup performed on par with the TD group and showed greater activity in the right prefrontal and bilateral temporal cortices relative to the L-ASD subgroup, suggesting compensatory engagement. The L-ASD subgroup additionally showed reduced and delayed left prefrontal N400m, consistent with more profound semantic and executive impairments in this subgroup. These distinct spatiotemporal activity profiles reveal the neural underpinnings of the ASD-specific access to meaning and provide insight into the phenotypic heterogeneity of language in ASD, which may be a result of different neurodevelopmental trajectories and adoption of compensatory strategies.

Learning and generalization of repetition-based rules in autism

Rule Learning (RL) allows us to extract and generalize high-order rules from a sequence of elements. Despite the critical role of RL in the acquisition of linguistic and social abilities, no study has investigated RL processes in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Here, we investigated RL in high-functioning autistic adolescents with ASD, examining whether their ability to extract and generalize rules from a sequence of visual elements is affected by the social vs. non-social nature of the stimulus and by visual working memory (WM). Using a forced-choice paradigm, ASD adolescents and typically developing (TD) peers were tested for their ability to detect and generalize high-order, repetition-based rules from visual sequences of simple non-social stimuli (shapes), complex non-social stimuli (inverted faces), and social stimuli (upright face). Both ASD and TD adolescents were able to generalize the rule they had learned to new stimuli, and their ability was modulated by the social nature of the stimuli and the complexity of the rule. Moreover, an association between RL and WM was found in the ASD, but not TD group, suggesting that ASD might have used additional or alternative strategies that relied on visual WM resources.

Complementing or Congruent? Desired Characteristics in a Friend and Romantic Partner in Autistic versus Typically Developing Male Adolescents

Ideal friend and romantic partner characteristics related to self-perceived characteristics have been investigated in typically developing (TD) individuals, but not in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Considering the autistic symptoms and challenges, investigating these concepts in autistic individuals is relevant. Given the lack of consensus, identity-first (“autistic person”) and person-first (“person with autism”) language are mixed throughout, to cover all preferences. This study explored (1) the association between self-perceived characteristics and desires in a friend/romantic partner, as well as (2) compare two groups (ASD and TD) in their desires for a friend/romantic partner. Two matched groups (ASD and TD) of 38 male adolescents (age 14–19 years) reported on the desire for nine characteristics (i.e., funny, popular, nice, cool, smart, trustworthy, good looking, similar interests, and being rich) in a friend/partner, and to what extent they felt they themselves possessed seven characteristics (i.e., funny, popular, nice, cool, smart, trustworthy, and good looking). Results showed both groups sought a friend and partner similar to themselves on intrinsic characteristics (e.g., trustworthiness), but less similar on extrinsic and social status characteristics (e.g., being less cool and popular). Particularly intrinsic characteristics, more than extrinsic and social status characteristics, were valued in both partners and friends, regardless of group. No significant differences were found between groups concerning to what extent characteristics were desired. Overall, adolescents with ASD desire similar characteristics as TD adolescents in their potential romantic partners and friends. There is some indication that the match between self-perception and desired characteristics is different.

Susceptibility to peer influence in adolescents with mild-to-borderline intellectual disability: Investigating links with inhibition, Theory of Mind and negative interpretation bias

ABSTRACT Background This preregistered study compares adolescents with mild-to-borderline intellectual disability (MBID) and typically developing (TD) adolescents on their susceptibility to peer influence. To understand why adolescents with MBID are susceptible to peer influence, links with inhibition, Theory of Mind (ToM) and negative interpretation bias are investigated. Method We assessed 163 adolescents (111 MBID, 52 TD 14–19 years; 63% boys) using experimental tasks and self- and/or teacher-reports. Results Adolescents with MBID and TD adolescents did not differ in their susceptibility to peer influence, inhibition, and negative interpretations. On two ToM instruments, adolescents with MBID performed weaker than TD adolescents. In a structural equation model, tested in the MBID group, inhibition, ToM and negative interpretation bias were not related to susceptibility to peer influence. Conclusions This study revealed new insights by strong methods such as the multimethod approach, a full theoretical model testing relations between all constructs simultaneously, and the large sample.

Cortical plasticity for speech processing in English & Mandarin-speaking adolescents: The effect of transcranial direct current stimulation

Language experience and brain maturation both shape speech processing at the cortical level. To examine whether transcranial direction stimulation (tDCS) shows any effect on automaticity of neural speech processing in relation to language experience in adolescents, we recorded event-related potentials (ERP) to a speech contrast both before and after administering tDCS. The participants were adolescents (14–19 years old) from monolingual English-speaking households and bilingual English-Mandarin speaking households. We used a passive listening oddball paradigm and recorded ERP responses before and after 10 minutes of tDCS. The mismatch negativity (MMN) and late negativities (LN) were examined. Both groups showed clear neural discrimination. We observed language group differences in the amplitudes of MMN and stimulus condition differences in the amplitudes of LN. The preliminary analyses of ERP responses before and after tDCS suggest that one short session of tDCS does not influence neural discrimination of speech in typically-developing adolescents.

Attention to live eye contact in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.

A number of studies have reported diminished attention to the eyes in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These studies predominantly used static images of faces as stimuli. Recent studies, however, have shown enhanced response to eye contact in typically developing (TD) individuals when they observe a person in a live interaction. We investigated physiological orienting to perceived eye contact in adolescents with ASD and TD adolescents when they observed a person in live interaction or viewed a photograph of the same person's face. We measured heart rate (HR) deceleration as an index of attentional orienting. Adolescents with ASD, as well as TD adolescents, showed significant HR deceleration for the direct gaze compared to an averted gaze in the live condition, but not in the photographic condition. The results suggest an intact response to perceived eye contact in individuals with ASD during a live face-to-face interaction. LAY SUMMARY: Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a different eye gaze pattern when observing photographic faces. However, little is known about how individuals with ASD process a real person's face. We measured heart rate (HR) and found that adolescents with ASD showed the typical decline in HR when they made eye contact with a real person, which suggests that both groups of individuals directed their attention to eye contact in a live face-to-face interaction.

Cognitive and Executive Contributions to Trail-Making Task Performance on Adolescents With and Without Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Objective: The trail making task is used to assess executive functioning in ADHD youth, yet has only been validated in adult populations. We compare the relative contributions of various cognitive measures to performance on a trail making task analog, the Switching of Attention (SoA) task, in typically-developing and ADHD adolescents. Method: Participants were 160 adolescents with ADHD from the International Study to Predict Optimized Treatment—in ADHD, assessed at pretreatment baseline and 6-week medicated follow-up, and 160 matched typically-developing peers. Attention, processing speed, working memory, impulsivity, and motor speed were assessed using a cognitive battery. Results: Processing speed and working memory significantly contributed to SoA performance in ADHD, regardless of medication status. While medicated, motor speed also underpinned the prediction of most task measures. For typically-developing adolescents, sustained attention and working memory contributed to SoA performance. Conclusion: Typically-developing, unmedicated and treated ADHD adolescents recruit different aspects of cognition during SoA completion.

Amygdala subnuclei development in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: Association with social communication and repetitive behaviors.

IntroductionThe amygdala subnuclei regulate emotional processing and are widely implicated in social cognitive impairments often seen in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Dysregulated amygdala development has been reported in young children with ASD; less is known about amygdala maturation in later adolescence, a sensitive window for social skill development.MethodsThe macrostructural development of the amygdala subnuclei was assessed at two time points in a longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study of adolescents with ASD (n = 23) and typically‐developing adolescents (n = 15) . In adolescents with ASD, amygdala subnuclei growth was assessed in relation to ASD symptomatology based on standardized diagnostic assessments. Participants were scanned with MRI at median age of 12 years and returned for a second scan at a median age of 15 years. The volumes of nine amygdala subnuclei were extracted using an automatic segmentation algorithm.ResultsWhen examining the longitudinal data acquired across two time points, adolescents with ASD had larger basolateral amygdala (BLA) nuclei volumes compared to typically developing adolescents (B = 46.8, p = 0.04). When examining ASD symptomatology in relation to the growth of the amygdala subnuclei, reciprocal social interaction scores on the ADI‐R were positively associated with increased growth of the BLA nuclei (B = 8.3, p < 0.001). Growth in the medial nucleus negatively predicted the communication (B = −46.9, p = 0.02) and social (B = −47.7, p < 0.001) domains on the ADOS‐G. Growth in the right cortical nucleus (B = 26.14, p = 0.02) positively predicted ADOS‐G social scores. Central nucleus maturation (B = 29.9, p = 0.02) was associated with the repetitive behaviors domain on the ADOS‐G.ConclusionsLarger BLA volumes in adolescents with ASD may reflect underlying alterations in cellular density previously reported in post‐mortem studies. Furthermore, findings demonstrate an association between regional growth in amygdala subnuclei volumes and ASD symptomatology. Improved understanding of the developmental trajectories of the amygdala subnuclei may aid in identifying key windows for interventions, particularly for social communication, in adolescents with ASD.

628 Longitudinal Association between NREM Sleep Depth and Arousability with ADHD and Internalizing Disorders in Adolescence

Abstract Introduction Sleep depth decreases in the transition from childhood to adolescence, even in typically developing (TD) youth. However, it remains unknown whether this developmental trajectory in NREM sleep depth differs across adolescents with psychiatric/behavioral disorders. Methods We analyzed the sleep EEG of 392 subjects aged 5–12 at baseline and 12–22 at follow-up (45.2% female, 23.2% racial/ethnic minority), of whom 246 were TD adolescents (controls), 62 were diagnosed with a psychiatric/behavioral disorder and were taking stimulant, anti-depressant, anxiolytic, sedative and/or anti-psychotic medications, and 84 were un-medicated. NREM sleep depth was measured at both time points using the odds ratio product (ORP), which provides a standardized continuous EEG measure of NREM sleep depth/arousability (higher ORP reflects lighter NREM sleep). General linear models examined mean differences between groups on the percent change in ORP between baseline and follow-up (ΔORP) while adjusting for sex, race/ethnicity, age, BMI and AHI at follow-up, and PSG system, psychiatric/behavioral disorders, psychoactive medications and ORP at baseline as well as time-to-follow-up. Results Overall, medicated (80.4%, 95%CI=66.2–94.6) and un-medicated (66.1%, 95%CI=53.0–79.1) subjects showed a higher ΔORP compared to controls (52.2%, 95%CI=40.0–64.5, p&amp;lt;0.01 and p&amp;lt;0.05, respectively) but did not differ between each other (p=0.134). Specifically, un-medicated subjects with ADHD (n=56) showed a higher ΔORP (77.3%, 95%CI=62.4–92.1) compared to controls (p&amp;lt;0.01), while subjects with ADHD on stimulant medication (n=36) did not differ (66.1%, 95%CI=48.9–93.2) from controls (p=0.268) or from un-medicated ADHD subjects (p=0.303). Subjects with internalizing disorders on psychoactive medications (n=29) showed a higher ΔORP (104.9%, 95%CI=82.8–127.0) compared to controls (p&amp;lt;0.01) and to un-medicated subjects (n=27) with internalizing disorders (60.1%, 95%CI=36.8–83.3, p&amp;lt;0.01), who did not differ from controls (p=0.772). Conclusion The greater increase in ORP in the transition to adolescence in un-medicated youth with ADHD suggests that decreased NREM sleep depth may be a biomarker of the disorder. In contrast, the greater increase in ORP in medicated youth with internalizing disorders suggests that psychoactive medications impact NREM sleep depth in these children as they transition to adolescence. These data have important implications for sleep EEG studies that include medicated and un-medicated youth with comorbid psychiatric disorders. Support (if any) NIH Awards Number R01MH118308, R01HL136587, R01HL97165, R01HL63772, UL1TR000127

Robotic transcranial magnetic stimulation motor maps and hand function in adolescents.

IntroductionTranscranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) motor mapping can characterize the neurophysiology of the motor system. Limitations including human error and the challenges of pediatric populations may be overcome by emerging robotic systems. We aimed to show that neuronavigated robotic motor mapping in adolescents could efficiently produce discrete maps of individual upper extremity muscles, the characteristics of which would correlate with motor behavior.MethodsTypically developing adolescents (TDA) underwent neuronavigated robotic TMS mapping of bilateral motor cortex. Representative maps of first dorsal interosseous (FDI), abductor pollicis brevis (APB), and abductor digiti minimi (ADM) muscles in each hand were created. Map features including area (primary), volume, and center of gravity were analyzed across different excitability regions (R100%, R75%, R50%, R25%). Correlations between map metrics and validated tests of hand motor function (Purdue Pegboard Test as primary) were explored.ResultsTwenty‐four right‐handed participants (range 12–18 years, median 15.5 years, 52% female) completed bilateral mapping and motor assessments with no serious adverse events or dropouts. Gender and age were associated with hand function and motor map characteristics. Full motor maps (R100%) for FDI did not correlate with motor function in either hand. Smaller excitability subset regions demonstrated reduced variance and dose‐dependent correlations between primary map variables and motor function in the dominant hemisphere.ConclusionsHand function in TDA correlates with smaller subset excitability regions of robotic TMS motor map outcomes. Refined motor maps may have less variance and greater potential to quantify interventional neuroplasticity. Robotic TMS mapping is safe and feasible in adolescents.

Reduced neural differentiation of rewards and punishment during passive avoidance learning in adolescents with generalized anxiety disorder.

It has been proposed that individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) show dysfunctional computations related to approach-avoidance decision-making. However, few studies have examined the neural basis of this impairment, particularly in adolescents with GAD. The goal of the current study was to address this gap in the literature. The study involved 51 adolescents with GAD and 51 typically developing (TD) comparison individuals matched on age (16.10 and 15.75 respective means), gender (30 F/21 M and 24 F/27 M), and IQ (103.20 and 103.18 respective means). Participants underwent functionalmagnetic resonance imaging during a passive avoidance task. We found a significant Group-by-Reinforcement interaction within reward-related brain regions including the caudate, putamen, mid cingulate/paracentral lobule, and superior and middle frontal gyrus. TD adolescents showed a greater differential response to reward versus punishment feedback within these regions relative to adolescents with GAD. In particular, this reflected reduced responses to rewards in the adolescents with GAD. There were no group differences in neural responses when making approach/avoidance responses. The results of this study suggest reduced differential responsiveness to reinforcement as a component of the pathophysiology seen in adolescents with GAD. This dysfunction likely underpins decision-making impairments that may exacerbate the participants' worry.

Altered functional network connectivity and working memory dysfunction in adolescents with epilepsy.

Adolescents with epilepsy are at risk for deficits in working memory, which could lead to learning difficulties and poor academic outcomes. We used task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine potential disruption in working memory function in adolescents with epilepsy as compared to healthy controls. We recruited 29 adolescents (13-17years) with non-lesional epilepsy and 20 healthy controls. All participants performed an N-back fMRI task and neuropsychological testing. A general linear model approach was used to create group activation maps of N-back fMRI for epilepsy and control groups and both groups combined (p < 0.05 corrected for multiple comparisons). Functionally defined regions of interest (ROIs) were identified based on clusters of combined group activation (z > 5). Subsets of these functional ROIs corresponding to cingulo-opercular and fronto-parietal networks were selected and differences in functional connectivity between the epilepsy and control groups were assessed. Adolescents with epilepsy had significantly poorer working memory scores compared to controls. For the N-back fMRI task, there were no significant differences in group activation. Functional connectivity was significantly reduced between the left frontal operculum and anterior cingulate gyrus (cingulo-opercular network) in adolescents with epilepsy compared to controls. This study demonstrates working memory deficits and an altered pattern of connectivity in brain networks supporting working memory in adolescents with epilepsy. Working memory performance was worse in adolescents with epilepsy; though scores were not directly correlated with reduced connectivity. These results suggest the neural substrates of working memory in adolescents with epilepsy may differ from those in typically-developing adolescents, and require further investigation to understand the reasons for poorer working memory performance.

Children and adolescents’ neural response to emotional faces and voices: Age-related changes in common regions of activation

ABSTRACT The perception of facial and vocal emotional expressions engages overlapping regions of the brain. However, at a behavioral level, the ability to recognize the intended emotion in both types of nonverbal cues follows a divergent developmental trajectory throughout childhood and adolescence. The current study a) identified regions of common neural activation to facial and vocal stimuli in 8- to 19-year-old typically-developing adolescents, and b) examined age-related changes in blood-oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) response within these areas. Both modalities elicited activation in an overlapping network of subcortical regions (insula, thalamus, dorsal striatum), visual-motor association areas, prefrontal regions (inferior frontal cortex, dorsomedial prefrontal cortex), and the right superior temporal gyrus. Within these regions, increased age was associated with greater frontal activation to voices, but not faces. Results suggest that processing facial and vocal stimuli elicits activation in common areas of the brain in adolescents, but that age-related changes in response within these regions may vary by modality.

Self-reported sensory responsiveness patterns in typically-developing and early-onset schizophrenia adolescents: Its relationship with schizotypal and autistic traits

Altered behavioural responses to sensory stimuli, including both hypo- and hyper-reactivity, have been found in individuals with schizophrenia. However, how specific sensory responsiveness patterns are associated with symptomatology of schizophrenia remains largely unknown. The present study aimed to examine sensory responsiveness in typically-developing (TD) adolescents (n = 98) and adolescents with early-onset schizophrenia (EOS) (n = 29) and investigate the relationship between schizotypal traits and sensory responsiveness patterns. All participants completed the Adult/Adolescent Sensory Profile (AASP), the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) and the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Results showed that higher levels of hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity coexisted in EOS patients and were correlated with positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Atypical sensory experiences except for sensory seeking were found to be positively correlated with higher levels of schizotypal traits regardless of diagnostic status. Moreover, the strength and pattern of such correlations were comparable in both EOS and TD groups. This study also provided evidence that higher levels of autistic traits would intensify the positive correlation between schizotypal traits and sensory responsiveness abnormalities, suggesting an additive effect of co-occurring schizotypal and autistic traits on atypical sensory experiences. These findings extend previous research by depicting sensory responsiveness patterns in younger populations with schizophrenia, and may have implications for future development of sensory-related interventions in clinical settings.

Physiological Profile Assessment of Posture in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Typically Developing Peers.

A sound postural system requires sensorimotor integration. Evidence suggests that individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) present sensorimotor integration impairments. The Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA) can be used to evaluate postural capacity assessing five physiological subsets (i.e., vision, reaction time, peripheral sensation, lower limb strength, balance); however, no studies applied the PPA in young individuals. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the PPA in children and adolescents with ASD compared with age-matched typically developing (TD) individuals and examine the relationship between the PPA subset within the ASD and TD participants according to different age groups. Percentiles from the PPA were obtained from the TD children and adolescents (n = 135) for each test. Performances of the individuals with ASD (n = 18) were examined relative to the TD percentiles. ASD participants’ scores were above the 90th percentile (i.e., poor performance) in most sensory, motor and balance parameters. Performance in most of the PPA tests significantly improved with older age in the TD group but not in the ASD group. The study findings support the use of the PPA in TD children and adolescents while further research should investigate postural capacity in a larger ASD sample to enhance the understanding of sensorimotor systems contributing to compromised postural control.