title: Implicit and explicit motor learning: Application to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to determine whether children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are capable of learning a motor skill both implicitly and explicitly.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present study, 30 boys with ASD, aged 7-11 with IQ average of 81.2, were compared with 32 typical IQ- and age-matched boys on their performance on a serial reaction time task (SRTT). Children were grouped by ASD and typical children and by implicit and explicit learning groups for the SRTT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Implicit motor learning occurred in both children with ASD (p=.02) and typical children (p=.01). There were no significant differences between groups (p=.39). However, explicit motor learning was only observed in typical children (p=.01) not children with ASD (p=.40). There was a significant difference between groups for explicit learning (p=.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of our study showed that implicit motor learning is not affected in children with ASD. Implications for implicit and explicit learning are applied to the CO-OP approach of motor learning with children with ASD.
authors.affiliation: Biomechanics and Movement Science, Physical Therapy Department, Move to Learn Lab, University of Delaware, 540 South College Avenue, Newark, DE 19713, USA. Electronic address: saraizad@udel.edu.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Izadi-Najafabadi
authors.affiliation: Occupational Therapy Department, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Damavand Street, Emam Hosein Square, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: mirzakhany@sbmu.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Navid
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mirzakhani-Araghi
authors.affiliation: Deakin University, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: nlavasan@deakin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Negar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Miri-Lavasani
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Faculty of Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Daneshjoo Boulevard, Daneshjoo Square, Velenjak, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: nejati@sbu.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Vahid
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nejati
authors.affiliation: Occupational Therapy Department, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Damavand Street, Emam Hosein Square, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: zahra_pashazadehazari@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Pashazadeh-Azari
mesh_terms: D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time
keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Cognitive orientation to daily occupational performance (CO-OP); Implicit and explicit motor learning