Supervisors info:
Παπανικολάου Αικατερίνη, Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ, Επιβλέπουσα
Κολαΐτης Γεράσιμος, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Pons Roser, Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
Introduction
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show difficulties in executive function (EF) and motor coordination and are also facing various frequent comorbidities, all of which have significant impact on their real-life function, moreover, affecting outcome. Contemporary research data point to a fundamental relationship between motor and cognitive development. Still, studies that have explored the relationship between motor function and EF in children in the autistic spectrum are limited.
Objective
This research study examined the potential associations between global and specific aspects of motor coordination, and three aspects of EF performance, planning, inhibitory control and working memory, as this relationship holds important domains that should be targeted with evidence-based interventions. The possible interaction of comorbid Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in the relation above was also investigated.
Method
In this retrospective study, participants included 24 children with ASD (M=6,88 years), without Intellectual Disabilities, that were assessed at the ASD Clinic of the University Child Psychiatry Department at the Regional General Children’s Hospital 'Agia Sophia'. Movement Assessment Battery for Children -2 (MABC-2) was used to identify difficulties in motor coordination. To assess EF function the Tower of London test from the Battery for EF detection and investigation, and the prolonged auditory attention test from the Battery for the Evaluation of Attention and Concentration were used, as well as the Digit Span performance on WISC III. Parents completed the Greek ADHD Rating Scale.
Results
As it was expected, children with difficulties in motor coordination performed worse on planning (p<0,001) and working memory (p=0,046) than those who had better motor abilities. Furthermore, between underlying categories of motor and executive function, evidence was found for stronger correlations between fine motor dexterities and working memory (p=0,001) but not specific, since fine motor seems to correlate significantly with all aspects of EF performance. Interestingly, balance skills were also found to correlate with working memory (p=0,009). ADHD comorbidity showed no significant moderating effect.
Conclusions
Findings suggest that within ASD, motor ability and executive function performance are related, largely interdependent and distinctive, regardless concomitant ADHD symptomatology.
Keywords:
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Executive Function, Motor Coordination Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
