There Are Indeed More Left-Handers Within the Autism Spectrum Disorder Compared with in the General Population, but the Many Mixed-Handers Is the More Interesting Finding.

Langseth and colleagues looked again at their own data on hand use in autism.

They wanted to see if kids with autism really do use their left hand more often than kids without autism.

The team kept the same numbers but wrote a new paper to explain why mixed-handedness, not just left-handedness, matters most.

Six out of ten people with autism did not favor the right hand.

Most of that group were mixed-handed, meaning they switched hands for different jobs.

The authors say this mixed pattern is the bigger clue than simply being left-handed.

Arwert et al. (2020) pulled together 18 studies on walking and found clear motor quirks in autism. Their meta-analysis shows the whole body moves differently, so odd hand use fits the same big picture.

García-Villamisar et al. (2017) split 707 preschoolers with autism into four neat sub-groups. Hand-use data like Langseth’s could help tag which subgroup a child falls into.

Hewitt et al. (2016) and Safer-Lichtenstein et al. (2021) both show autism rates change by race, state, and culture. Langseth’s numbers remind us that motor traits also vary inside the diagnosis, not just across zip codes.

When you see a child with autism switch hands while writing or eating, note it. Mixed-handedness may flag a distinct motor profile and help you pick goals for fine-motor or daily-living skills. No need to “fix” hand choice—just use the info to tailor prompts, tool placement, and reinforcers.