HaptiKart: An engaging videogame reveals elevated proprioceptive vs. visual bias in individuals with autism spectrum disorder

medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 12, 2025

An overreliance on proprioceptive (intrinsic) sensory input from the body, compared to visual (extrinsic) environment, may underpin core features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We developed an engaging videogame (HaptiKart) as a tool examine differences in sensory-motor bias (proprioceptive vs. visual) children and adults with ASD whether correlates age, features, intellectual ability. Eighty-one participants (33 ASD, 48 typically-developing, TD) aged 8 31 years played HaptiKart, driving force-feedback steering wheel that provided assist during gameplay. In separate trials, feedback were selectively delayed, error between conditions used calculate perceptual scores. Effects diagnosis age scores examined, controlling for sex, associations symptom severity (ADOS-2, SRS-2), attention-deficit (Conners4 ADHD Total Scores) ratings, IQ (general ability index, GAI). The group exhibited significantly higher than did TD (p=0.002). There was trend decreasing but no significant diagnosis-by-age interaction. Increased correlated lower IQ, not symptoms. HaptiKart provides highly scalable approach measuring bias, revealing individuals show elevated correlating severity. HaptiKarts measure thereby serve digital biomarker addressing heterogeneity ways can improve targeted intervention.

Language: Английский

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Motor difficulties in children with neurodevelopmental conditions: a report from a cross-national study in Belgian and Italian children

European Journal of Pediatrics, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 184(2)

Published: Feb. 4, 2025

Language: Английский

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Mapping Children’s Social and Motor Skill Profiles to Autistic Traits and Behavioral Tendencies

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 13, 2025

Language: Английский

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Decreased central corpus callosum volume in autistic children is associated with repetitive behaviours and motor skills

Published: May 16, 2025

Language: Английский

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Interceptive abilities in autism spectrum disorder: Comparing naturalistic and virtual visuomotor tasks

Autism Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 16, 2024

Abstract A growing body of research reveals that autistic individuals exhibit motor coordination challenges. Multiple theoretical frameworks propose the seemingly disparate features autism may arise from a common underlying process: diminished ability to make predictions. Sensorimotor skills, such as catching ball, critically rely on predicting ball's trajectory well anticipatory entire body. Here, we assessed four different naturalistic and virtual interception tasks with 31 neurotypical 23 children (ages 7–12). In setting, participants caught ball either their hands or hand‐held funnel an enlarged catch area also prevented bouncing off. setup reduced whole‐body demands, only moved paddle bounce screen. Control tasks, involving rapid reaching grasp static object quiet standing, which largely eliminated requirements for prediction, were tested. Results all task variations demonstrated completed fewer successful interceptions, suggesting predictive requirements, inherent played critical role. Effect sizes in smaller. Correlations metrics behavioral assessments rendered strongest correlations Praxis scores. The control showed no differences between children. These findings lend support emerging hypothesis challenges are present autism. Further larger sample will help identify what extent these visuomotor inform core domains

Language: Английский

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Towards Experimental Approaches to Advance Discovery of Clinically Meaningful Sensory-Motor Biomarkers

Published: Sept. 15, 2023

Atypical motor function is a highly prevalent clinical feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Differences in both persist across the lifespan and scale linearly with magnitude core ASD symptom presentation. Because differences may be apparent earlier than features, objective, quantifiable measures help clinicians early detection neurodevelopmental delays/deviance, diagnosis ASD, later differential diagnosis. Moreover, nuanced biomarkers represent promising approach to parse presumed mechanistic heterogeneity spectrum, particularly as it relates guiding precision intervention. To achieve these mechanistic-science biomarker-development goals, we propose approaches transcend limitations see within corpus research whole. First, suggest more transdiagnostic establish specificity particular behaviors for (vs. other conditions that also show atypicalities). Relatedly, enhancing constructs core-symptom (social-communicative, restricted repetitive behaviors/interests [RRB]) sensory-motor will essential parsing spectrum. Finally, order sharpen our understanding, recommend experimental designs simultaneously competitively test multiple cognitive-motor theories frameworks Computational Motor Control Bayesian Inference, this aid developing clinically meaningful objective based on mechanism. Each discuss chapter (hypo-priors, hyper-priors, prediction, inter-sensory bias, transformation) ascribes different features mechanisms; recognize mechanisms at play individuals heterogeneous way accounts non-motor heterogeneity. neuroanatomical correlates underpin each theory proposed, providing brain-behavioral link between emerging “lower-level” (i.e., low-order RRBs) developmentally higher-level symptomology social communication high-level RRBs).

Language: Английский

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Functional upper-extremity movements in autism: A narrative literature review

Research in autism spectrum disorders, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 118, P. 102489 - 102489

Published: Oct. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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Decreased central corpus callosum volume is associated with repetitive behaviours and motor difficulties in autistic children

medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: June 20, 2024

Abstract Along with the core characteristics of condition, autistic individuals commonly experience motor coordination difficulties, potentially related to a reduced cortical connectivity. Being largest human commissure, corpus callosum (CC) plays an essential role in interhemispheric connectivity and has been often involved among atypicalities. This study aimed investigate volumes subregions group drug-naïve, children explore its possible associations both features skills. Thirty-five (2.5-12 years) were compared 35 closely IQ-matched, non-autistic peers. CC was identified segmented into five using Freesurfer. Callosal between two groups correlated parental ratings as assessed by Social Responsiveness Scale Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire. Associations volume Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule scores also explored participants. Autistic showed central segment CC, context comparable total volume. reduction appeared be symptoms restricted repetitive behaviours children, mannerisms skills across These findings expand current knowledge about neural mechanisms underlying autism, suggesting that through might have implications for individuals. Lay Summary Differences brain development widely outlined autism. Exploring scans aged 2.5-12 years matched cognitive functioning, we found part smaller group. associated level work offers new empirical evidence is atypical autism can manifestation children.

Language: Английский

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Embodied Equity

Advances in higher education and professional development book series, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 145 - 179

Published: Dec. 18, 2023

The state of education in the US is currently undergoing a transition. prevailing inclination towards standardized approaches continues to produce inequities learner outcomes that are challenging teacher preparation programs rethink their practices. Education's “wicked equity problem” results from school funding, access quality opportunities, and equitable resources for diverse marginalized learners. This chapter describes practicum integrating findings neuroscience evidence movement as an accessible, inclusive neurodevelopmental lever pathway learners thrive. authors assert embedding embodied practices have potential dismantle systemic barriers learning opportunities while developing strong stances candidates.

Language: Английский

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