Skip to main content
Log in

Postural control in children with autism

  • Published:
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Postural control was evaluated in samples of autistic, normal, and mentally retarded children in this pilot study using a recently developed, computerized posturographic procedure. A battery of postural positions was administered including postures involving some degree of “stress” (e.g., occluded vision or standing on pads). The postural patterns of children with autism differed from those observed in normal children, in mentally retarded children, and in adults with vestibular disorders. In comparison to normal children the autistic subjects were less likely to exhibit age-related changes in postural performance and postures were more variable and less stable with more lateral sway. Autistic subjects also exhibited a “paradoxical” response of greater stability with more “stressful” postures, putting excessive weight on one foot, one toe, or one heel. The implications for neuroanatomical models of autism are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • American Psychiatric Association. (1980) Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (3rd ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ayalon, A., Ben-Sira, S., & Kohen-Raz, R. (1988).Reliability of a new method of tetra-ataxiametrix posturography. Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Sport and Physical Education, Madrid, Spain.

  • Barigant, P., Merlet, P., Orfait, J., & Tetar, C. (1972). New development of ELA statokinesimeter.Aggressologie, 13, 69–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Colbert, E. G., Koegler, R. R., & Markham, C. H. (1958). Toe walking in childhood schizophrenia.Journal of Pediatrics, 53, 219–220.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Courchesne, E. Young-Courchesne, B. A., Press, G. A., Hesselink, J. R., Jernigan, T. L. (1988). Hypoplasia of cerebellar vermal lobules VI and VII in autism.New England Journal of Medicine, 318, 1349–1354.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Damasio, A. R., & Maurer R. G. (1978). A neurological model for childhood autism.Archives of Neurology, 35, 778–786.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeWit, G. (1972a). Optic vs vestibular and proprioceptive impulses measured by posturometry.Aggressologie, 13, 75–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeWit, G. (1972b). Analysis of stabilographic curves.Aggressologie, 13, 80–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kapteyn, T. S. (1972). The stabilogram: Measurement techniques.Aggressologie, 13, 75–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kohen-Raz, R. (1986).Learning Disabilities and Postural Control. London: Freund.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kohen-Raz, R. (1991a). La contribution de la posturographic tetra-ataximetrique au diagnostic differentiel des enfants autistiques [The contribution of tetra-ataximetric posturography to the differential diagnosis of autistic children].Approce Neuropsychologique des Apprentissages chez l'Enfant, 3, 89–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kohen-Raz, R. (1991b). The application of tetra-ataxiametric posturography in clinical and developmental diagnosis.Perceptual and Motor Skills, 73, 635–656.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kohen-Raz, R. & Hiriartborde, E. (1979). Some observations on tetra-ataxiametric patterns of static balance and their relation to mental and scholastic achievement.Perceptual and Motor Skills, 48, 871–890.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nigg, B. M. (1975).Untersuchung uber das menschliche Gleichgewichtsverhalten [Explorations of the human body equilibrium]. D. Sc. Thesis, Swiss Institute of Technology, Zurich.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ornitz, E. M. (1973). Childhood autism. A review of the clinical and experimental literature.California Medicine, 118, 21–47.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ornitz, E. M. (1974). The modulation of sensory input and motor output in autistic children.Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia, 4, 197–205.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ritvo, E. R., Ornitz, E. M., Eviatar, A., Markham, C. H., Brown, M., & Mason, A. (1969). Decreased postrotatory nystagmus in early childhood autism.Neurology, 19, 653–658.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schopler, E., Reichler, R. J., DeVellis, R. F., & Daly, K. (1980). Toward objective classification of childhood autism: Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS).Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 10, 91–103.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

This work was supported in part by grant NS25026 from the National Institute of Health.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kohen-Raz, R., Volkman, F.R. & Cohen, D.J. Postural control in children with autism. J Autism Dev Disord 22, 419–432 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01048244

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01048244

Keywords

Navigation