Locomotion of autistic adults.
OBJECTIVE
To assess gait in patients with autism.


METHODS
Clinical and physiologic assessment.


METHODS
Research hospital.


METHODS
Five adults with autism and five healthy, age-matched control subjects.


METHODS
Clinical and biomechanical assessment.


RESULTS
Clinical assessment showed mild clumsiness in four patients and upper limb posturing during gait in three patients. The velocity of gait, step length, cadence, step width, stance time, and vertical ground reaction forces were normal in all patients. The only significant abnormality was decreased range of motion of the ankle. Some patients exhibited slightly decreased knee flexion in early stance. Clinically, the gait appeared to be irregular in three patients, but the variability was not significantly increased.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings in patients with autism indicate a nonspecific, neurological disturbance involving the motor system. The normal velocity of gait and the normal step length argue against a parkinsonian-type disturbance, whereas the clinical picture suggests a disturbance of the cerebellum.
Hallett
M
M
Human Motor Control Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md.
Lebiedowska
M K
MK
Thomas
S L
SL
Stanhope
S J
SJ
Denckla
M B
MB
Rumsey
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D008124:Locomotion; D008297:Male; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular