Motor signs distinguish children with high functioning autism and Asperger's syndrome from controls.

The team gave the PANESS motor exam to boys with high-functioning autism and Asperger’s.

They also tested typical boys the same age.

A short checklist of just four motor signs did the sorting.

Every boy with autism or Asperger’s failed the four key items.

The same four items almost never failed in typical boys.

The gap was large enough that a quick screen could flag who needed help.

Pan (2014) saw the same motor gap in older teens, so the problem does not fade with age.

Siaperas et al. (2012) added sensory tests and still found the same motor weakness in Asperger kids.

Ketcheson et al. (2018) looked at preschoolers and saw almost no motor difference—an apparent contradiction.

The clash is about age: tiny kids may not yet show the full motor gap that hits hard by school age.

You can add the four-item PANESS clip to your intake packet. It takes five minutes and gives you a clear yes-or-no on motor risk. If the child fails, weave fine-motor goals, handwriting warm-ups, or praxis drills into the plan. The tool is free, quick, and now backed across two age bands.