Standing Postural Control in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Huey and colleagues pulled together 19 lab studies that measured quiet standing balance in people with autism. They compared sway size and speed across different sensory conditions, like eyes open, eyes closed, or on a soft pad. The team ran a meta-analysis to see if balance deficits show up consistently.

The pooled data showed a large, stable balance gap. Across every sensory setup, individuals with ASD swayed more and recovered slower than neurotypical peers. The biggest problems appeared when vision was the main source of information.

The review folds in earlier work such as LeBlanc et al. (2003) and Doumas et al. (2016), each showing larger sway when sensory cues conflict. Together they build a clear picture: poor sensory weighting, not weak muscles, drives the instability. A 2026 update by Martín-Díaz et al. now supersedes these numbers, adding dynamic balance and 15 more studies. It keeps the negative direction but trims the effect size, giving us fresher benchmarks for both static and moving balance.

You now have solid evidence that balance is a real, measurable challenge in ASD. Add a quick sway test to your intake protocol. If vision-dependent tasks trigger bigger wobbles, give kids a stable visual anchor or let them use tactile cues during therapy. Targeting balance can boost safety and confidence in gym, playground, and classroom settings.