Motor Disturbance in ASD: A Pilot Study Showing Hypokinetic Behavior?

Bellon-Harn et al. (2020) watched kids and teens with autism move. They used a slow-motion checklist called the Bradykinesia Scale. A second team tracked the same moves with motion-capture tools.

They compared the autism group to same-age peers without autism. Both groups completed simple arm, leg, and finger tasks.

The checklist caught more slow and hesitant moves in the autism group. The motion-capture numbers showed no clear speed difference.

In plain words: the eye sees slowness that the computer misses.

Jones et al. (2010) already pooled 51 studies and found big coordination gaps in autism. Bellon-Harn et al. (2020) now adds a new wrinkle: slowness shows up best on an observer scale, not on instruments.

Milgramm et al. (2021) saw six-year-olds with autism plan hand moves less smoothly. Bellon-Harn et al. (2020) widens the age range and shows the slow pattern lasts into the teen years.

McAuliffe et al. (2017) found kids with autism struggle most when they must do several moves at once. Bellon-Harn et al. (2020) agrees: single moves look slow, but the real clue is hesitation before start.

You can spot bradykinesia during any motor task—PE, crafts, or play. Use a simple watch-and-rate sheet instead of waiting for fancy tech. If you see slow or hesitant starts, break the task into smaller steps or add a clear “ready” cue. This tiny tweak can cut frustration and boost participation.