Article

Recent research in motor control shows the interactive role of cognitive factors
in postural control. However, there is little understanding in how children with
autism spectrum disorder (ASD) develop their postural behaviors. This study
compares the interference of visual or auditory tasks on postural control in
children with ASD. We examined 19 children with ASD
(10-15 years old) and also 28
age-matched typically developing (TD) children. They were asked to perform two
tasks during postural control: (1) a visual searching task (2) an auditory digit
span task. Postural performances were measured with a force platform. Results
showed that children with ASD indicated higher postural sway scores in visual
task vs. auditory task; as root mean square (p=0.04), mean velocity (p=0.01) and
sway area (p=0.02) but TD children scores remained unchanged. Children with ASD
also showed significantly higher sway scores than TD children in all parameters.
We conclude that in addition to primary differences in patterns of postural
control of children with ASD compared to TD children, visual and auditory tasks
may differently influence the postural control in this population.
CI - Copyright (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS