title: Sensori-motor and daily living skills of preschool children with autism spectrum disorders.
abstract: Sensori-motor development and performance of daily living skills (DLS) remain little explored in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The objective of this study was to determine the impact of sensori-motor skills on the performance of DLS in preschool children with ASD. Thirty-five children, 3-4 years of age, were recruited and assessed with a battery of diagnostic and clinical tests. Children showed atypical sensory responses, very poor motor and DLS. Sensory avoiding, an excessive reaction to sensory stimuli, and fine motor skills were highly correlated with DLS, even when cognitive performance was taken into account. Sensori-motor deficits have an impact on the autonomy of children with ASD and interventions should aim at improving and supporting the development of sensori-motor skills.
authors.affiliation: School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Emmanuelle
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jasmin
authors.forename: Mélanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Couture
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McKinley
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fombonne
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gisel
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010465:Perception; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012677:Sensation; D013223:Statistics as Topic