title: Statistical persistence and timing characteristics of repetitive circle drawing in children with ASD.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Standardized tests to assess movement difficulties in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) evaluate motor output, but do not provide information about underlying dynamics. The objective of this research is to study the statistical persistence and temporal dynamics of a circle drawing task in children with ASD.
  
  
  METHODS
  For this study 15 children diagnosed with ASD, aged 4-8 years, were asked to draw circles under various conditions using a computerized tablet. We then assessed fractal dynamics and global temporal dynamics (mean and coefficient of variation) and compared these quantities to those of typically developing (TD) controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No difference in statistical persistence was found between children with ASD and TD children. Temporal measures showed increased variability in the ASD population in the discontinuous task.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results support the hypothesis that children with ASD have an intact ability to consistently produce continuous movements, but increased variability in production of discontinuous movements.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical and Biomaterials Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fleury
authors.forename: Azadeh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kushki
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tanel
authors.forename: Evdokia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Anagnostou
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chau
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D063189:Symptom Assessment