Many studies of children with autism report problems with gait, or alignment while walking. Of these, one of the most commonly described is persistent toe walking — for longer than three months after learning to walk — and tight heel cords, which restrict ankles to a 90 degree angle.
Children with ASD tend to augment their walking stability with a reduced stride length, increased step width and therefore wider base of support, and increased time in the stance phase. Children with ASD have reduced range of motion at the ankle and knee during gait, with increased hip flexion.
A dysfunctional vestibular system, a common problem in autism, may be responsible for toe walking. The vestibular system provides the brain with feedback regarding body motion and position.
(3) showed that autistic children between the ages of 3 and 10 walk somewhat like Parkinsonian adults in that they walk more slowly than normal, with shorter steps.
Motor problems such as clumsiness, toe-walking and altered gait are well documented in autism. But most studies have been limited to children or have included adults only as part of a broad age range.
In one study of 185 consecutive referrals with ID, half or fewer of children with moderate (47%), severe (51%) and profound ID (35%) walked by the age of 15 months6.
About 85 percent of the children in each group walked independently by 18 months. But when researchers focused on children with IQs of around 50, they found that 60 percent of the children with intellectual disability, ADHD or language disorders walked by 18 months compared with 80 percent of those with autism.
Toe-walking is common among children with autism. A study conducted in Sweden concluded that 41% of children with a cognitive or neuropsychiatric disorder such as autism, were or had been toe-walkers.
The most popular activity among children with ASD was the exhibit "Climbing Stairs." Children who climbed a short staircase could then drop a ball and watch it descend. Another popular activity involved a windmill. Children can push its arms, causing it to spin.
Main signs of autism
finding it hard to understand what others are thinking or feeling. getting very anxious about social situations. finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be on your own.
A child could have mild symptoms of autism, but parents and guardians should still take proactive steps to seek a diagnosis. When a child has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), caregivers can work with professionals to develop appropriate strategies in response.
Kyphosis (a curved spine), collapsed chest, dropped shoulders and even scoliosis are observed in many of our patients. These myriad of postural issues may result from reduced strength, decreased biomechanical stability, or from a sensory impairment, such as apraxia.
In children with Autism, the vestibular system (which helps to control balance and body position) is under developed or dysfunctional. Toe walking can often then develop. Exercises targeting vestibular stimulation can assist in reducing toe walking.
About stimming and autism
Stimming might include: hand and finger mannerisms – for example, finger-flicking and hand-flapping. unusual body movements – for example, rocking back and forth while sitting or standing. posturing – for example, holding hands or fingers out at an angle or arching the back while sitting.
Research says that autistic children spend more time on screen than children who do not have autism. About 64.2 percent of young adults with ASD spend their free time on TV, and video games and 13.2 percent of young adults with ASD spend time on social media sites, emails, and chatting.
Children and youth with autism tend to be less physically active than kids who do not have developmental disabilities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, regular physical activity is important for maintaining a healthy weight.
Dance can be a major resource for children with autism, especially those who are nonverbal. Dance uses the body as a way of communicating instead of the use of words. Depending on the movement, the body can tell a story that the child might not be able to express any other way.
Diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be difficult because there is no medical test, like a blood test, to diagnose the disorder. Doctors look at the child's developmental history and behavior to make a diagnosis. ASD can sometimes be detected at 18 months of age or younger.
Oversensitive to sensory information
These children try to avoid sensory experiences – for example, they might cover their ears when they hear loud noises, eat only foods with a certain texture or taste, wear only certain types of loose-fitting clothing, or resist having hair cuts or brushing teeth.
Murphy's unpublished data indicate that the upper bodies of people with autism tend to tilt forward as they walk, and that they have more bounce in their step than their typical peers do. These findings align with the results of the two-dimensional footstep analysis.
Characteristics of Mild Autism
Repetitive or fixated behaviors, interests, or activities: Autistic people often repeat movements or words as a way to self-regulate, a behavior often referred to as “stimming.” They may also adhere to specific routines and have specific and intense interests.