Gait Deviations in Children With Classic High-Functioning Autism and Low-Functioning Autism

Abstract

The most significant symptoms of autism are abnormal movement patterns that can lead to the decrease of life quality. The purpose of the study was to compare quantitatively the gait strategy of the typical subjects, children with classic high-functioning autism (HFA), and children with low-functioning autism (LFA). Secondly, the comparison and the evaluation of main changes of plantar pressure parameters between groups were presented. The evaluation was carried out on 18 children with HFA, 10 children with LFA, and 30 age-matched children as a control group. A six camera motion capture system, two force plates and a pedobarograph were used to measure gait kinematics, joint kinetics, and pressure distribution under foot during walking. The analysis shows significant differences between children with HFA, LFA, and typical children in velocity, cadence, and magnitude of plantar pressure distribution. The magnitude of plantar pressure was reduced in children with autism under all anatomical masks, which was caused by plano-valgus deformity. Differences were also observed in joint angles and moments during gait cycle. Some of the results can be a source of important information about gait patterns in autistic children. Any exercise treatment prescribed for autistic children should focus on changing the patterns of plantar pressure distribution, which would be similar to patterns of typical children. However, the exercise treatment cannot be generalized due to the high inter-subject variability in children with autism.

Gait Pattern and Motor Performance During Discrete Gait Perturbation in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

“…Regarding the first goal of the study, these findings depicted an altered gait pattern in children with ASD with a range of atypical gait parameters. With respect to kinetic measures, children with ASD showed reduced ground reaction forces at the ankle in accordance with previous studies that used traditional force plates (Calhoun et al, 2011; Pauk et al, 2017). In addition, kinematic data suggested an atypical flexion of the hip, which is in line with Calhoun et al (2011) and with Pauk et al (2017), coupled with an anterior displacement of the pelvis at foot IC.…”

“…With respect to kinetic measures, children with ASD showed reduced ground reaction forces at the ankle in accordance with previous studies that used traditional force plates (Calhoun et al, 2011; Pauk et al, 2017). In addition, kinematic data suggested an atypical flexion of the hip, which is in line with Calhoun et al (2011) and with Pauk et al (2017), coupled with an anterior displacement of the pelvis at foot IC. Last, children with ASD exhibited a greater pelvic anteroversion throughout the gait cycle, which is in line with the low-functioning subsample of patients investigated by Pauk et al (2017).…”

“…In addition, kinematic data suggested an atypical flexion of the hip, which is in line with Calhoun et al (2011) and with Pauk et al (2017), coupled with an anterior displacement of the pelvis at foot IC. Last, children with ASD exhibited a greater pelvic anteroversion throughout the gait cycle, which is in line with the low-functioning subsample of patients investigated by Pauk et al (2017). As a whole, these data indicated an abnormal gait pattern, where children with ASD tend to augment their own locomotion stability.…”

“…To the best of our knowledge, no studies have yet employed this innovative, integrated system to examine the gait activity in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders. Based on the findings of studies of overground gait (see, for example, Rinehart et al, 2006; Calhoun et al, 2011; Nobile et al, 2011; Pauk et al, 2017), we expected children with ASD to have gait peculiarities with respect to spatio-temporal, kinetic, and kinematic parameters, even though walking on a treadmill can slightly affect these gait parameters (Van der Krogt et al, 2014). Furthermore, we intended to explore the relationship between potential differences in gait parameters and core features of ASD.…”

Meta‐Analysis Reveals Gait Anomalies in Autism

“…For instance, the most widely studied temporal gait parameter in autism is walking speed. In one study, undertaken with children aged around 8‐years of age, autism was associated with slower walking speeds [Pauk, Zawadzka, Wasilewska, & Godlewski, 2017]. In this study gait was assessed using a motion capture system.…”