Motor alterations in the different support levels of autism spectrum disorder

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Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests itself in three increasing levels of severity. The literature points to the presence of motor alterations in these children. However, there are no studies that delimit these alterations at different levels. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the overall motor performance of children with ASD at levels 1, 2, and 3, according to the Operationalized Portage Inventory (OPI), and to check the correlation with performance in the dimensions of language, cognition, self-care, and socialization. Methods: This is a retrospective observational study of 136 records of children with ASD levels 1, 2, and 3, aged between 3 and 6 years, seen at the FisioPETI Rehabilitation Clinic in São Paulo/SP. The assessment instrument was the OPI, and the quantification of development in each dimension was in years and developmental delay in months. The power of the sample was 100%. Chi square test, Kruskal-Wallis, and Dunn’s post-test were used. Results: The median age was 4 years, 72.06% were male, 49 (36.3%) belonged to level 1, 47 (34.56%) to level 2, and 40 (29.41%) to level 3. Global motor development was delayed in 95.92% (level 1), 97.87% (level 2), and 97.50% (level 3). The extent of motor delay (average) was 11 months (level 1), 19 months (level 2), and 20 months (level 3), with a significant difference, p < 0.001. The delay in the other dimensions also showed a significant association with the level of severity: language (p < 0.001), cognition (p < 0.001), and socialization (p < 0.001), except for self-care (p < 0.007). Conclusion: The vast majority of children had delayed motor development, but less severely than in the other dimensions. The amount of motor delay was proportional to the severity of ASD. The same relationship was established with delays in language, cognition, and socialization.

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