Gross Motor Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder

Movement plays an essential role in children's lives. Typically developing children achieve motor skills effortlessly, while children with ASD and ADHD demonstrate a plethora of developmental challenges. In clinical practice, an explicit intervention module addressing motor deficits of these children has been greatly overlooked as they appear active and agile. Hence, this study intends to explore the gross motor skill deficits in children with ASD and ADHD.

Children with ASD (n = 10) or ADHD (n = 10) belonging to the age group of 3–10 years were recruited for the study as per the inclusion criteria. All children were selected from Madurai Child Development Centre, a pediatric rehabilitation centre in Madurai, India. The Test of Gross Motor Development-2 was employed to analyze the gross motor dysfunctions in children with ASD and ADHD.

Significant association between age and object control skills in ASD children was found between the ages 3–6 years & 7–10 years. Significant association between age and locomotor skills as well as object control skills was elucidated in ADHD children. A definite association in locomotor and object control skill performance between boys and girls among ASD and ADHD was found.

Children with ASD and ADHD demonstrate a plethora of gross motor skill challenges that subsequently thwarts their dexterity, self-care and overall function.