title: Postural control impairments in individuals with autism spectrum disorder: a critical review of current literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Motor impairments in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been frequently reported. In this review, we narrow our focus on postural control impairments to summarize current literature for patterns, underlying mechanisms, and determinants of posture in this population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search was conducted through Medline, ISI web of Knowledge, Scopus and Google Scholar to include studies between 1992 and February 2013.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Individuals with ASD have problems in maintaining postural control in infancy that well persists into later years. However, the patterns and underlying mechanisms are still unclear.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Examining postural control as an endophenotype or early diagnostic marker of autism is a conceptual premise which should be considered in future investigations. At the end of the review, methodological recommendations on the assessment of postural control have also been provided.
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran ; Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Amir Hossein
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Memari
authors.affiliation: Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: Parisa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ghanouni
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran ; Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Monir
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shayestehfar
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Banafsheh
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ghaheri
keywords: Autism; Motor Skills; Postural Balance; Posture