A comparison of motor delays in young children: autism spectrum disorder, developmental delay, and developmental concerns.

Provost et al. (2007) watched toddlers move. They compared three groups: kids with autism, kids with general developmental delay, and kids whose parents worried about development.

They used standard motor tests. The goal was to see who had gross- and fine-motor delays.

Almost every toddler with autism showed motor delays. Their scores looked the same as kids labeled "developmentally delayed."

In other words, if a child had autism, low motor scores were expected.

Sharp et al. (2010) extends this picture. They tested older, high-functioning teens and adults with autism. Surprisingly, these learners picked up new motor sequences just as fast as typical peers.

Together the two studies tell a timeline: early motor milestones lag, but the brain can catch up. By adolescence, automatic motor learning works fine.

Cox et al. (2017) show you can train around the delay. They taught preschoolers with autism and ID to lie still for MRI by using prompts and a DRO schedule. Motor control became a teachable skill.

Screen every young client with autism for motor delays. Build in extra practice for climbing, drawing, and self-feeding. Use prompting and reinforcement to shape movement, just as you would for language or play.