Motor and sensory features successfully decode autism spectrum disorder and combine with the original RDoC framework to boost diagnostic classification

Harrison, Laura; Kats, Anastasiya; Kilroy, Emily; Butera, Christiana; Jayashankar, Aditya; Keleş, Ümit; Aziz‐Zadeh, Lisa

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-87455-w

Cited by 17 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 71 publications

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“…Despite RdoC criteria holding promise as a means of characterizing the diversity in ASD, it is important to recognize that it is still in its infancy. There are few studies that have empirically examined the veracity of RdoC with respect to ASD, with studies continuing to offer refinements and additions to this framework (e.g., Harrison et al, 2021; Tschida & Yerys, 2020). Additionally, RdoC is not intended to fully replace current diagnostic criteria, but provides a translational and transdiagnostic approach to researching and understanding mental health conditions, including ASD (Cuthbert & Insel, 2013; Mandy, 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gaze and social functioning associations in autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

et al. 2022

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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by significant social functioning impairments, including (but not limited to) emotion recognition, mentalizing, and joint attention. Despite extensive investigation into the correlates of social functioning in ASD, only recently has there been focus on the role of low-level sensory input, particularly visual processing. Extensive gaze deficits have been described in ASD, from basic saccadic function through to social attention and the processing of complex biological motion. Given that social functioning often relies on accurately processing visual information, inefficient visual processing may contribute to the emergence and sustainment of social functioning difficulties in ASD. To explore the association between measures of gaze and social functioning in ASD, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. A total of 95 studies were identified from a search of CINAHL Plus, Embase, OVID Medline, and psycINFO databases in July 2021. Findings support associations between increased gaze to the face/head and eye regions with improved social functioning and reduced autism symptom severity. However, gaze allocation to the mouth appears dependent on social and emotional content of scenes and the cognitive profile of participants. This review supports the investigation of gaze variables as potential biomarkers of ASD, although future longitudinal studies are required to investigate the developmental progression of this relationship and to explore the influence of heterogeneity in ASD clinical characteristics. Lay SummaryThis review explored how eye gaze (e.g., where a person looks when watching a movie) is associated with social functioning in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We found evidence that better social functioning in ASD was associated with increased eye gaze toward faces/head and eye regions. Individual characteristics (e.g., intelligence) and the complexity of the social scene also influenced eye gaze. Future research including large longitudinal studies and studies investigating the influence of differing presentations of ASD are recommended.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gaze and social functioning associations in autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

et al. 2022

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“…The purpose of the current study was to explore the contributions of sensory modulation to the DCD phenotype and to understand the relationship between sensory, social emotional, behavior, and motor features in this population in comparison to children with ASD and TD children. We expand upon our previous findings [ 23 ] by including larger sample sizes, a different socio-emotional measure (e.g., SCARED-P), and an assessment of repetitive behavior (RBS-R). The following questions are addressed: Do children with DCD experience differences in sensory processing?…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 73%

“…Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), also known as dyspraxia, is a neuromotor disorder characterized by impairments in the development of motor coordination including dexterity, limb speed, and gross and fine motor skills that are not due to an intellectual disability or other neurological disorder affecting movement [ 3 , 21 , 22 ]. It is estimated that DCD affects 5–6% of children and may significantly interfere with activities of daily living and school performance [ 21 , 23 ]. DCD is also a common comorbidity in children with ASD, with approximately 60–90% meeting the criteria for DCD [ 24 , 25 , 26 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recent studies have explored a connection between sensory processing and empathy [ 23 , 73 ]. Researchers have also identified links between interoceptive abilities and empathy in typically developing [ 74 , 75 ] and autistic individuals [ 73 , 76 , 77 ], though few have examined empathy and sensory processing (exteroception).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In prior studies on sensory processing in DCD, either: (a) DCD was compared to neurotypical children [ 42 , 43 ], (b) a retrospective chart review was performed [ 41 ], or (c) DCD was compared to ASD only [ 18 ]. To our knowledge, only one previous study from our group examined relationships between motor and sensory processing in DCD, ASD, and TD [ 23 ]. Here we build on our prior data by comparing the relationship between sensory processing and social emotional behavior in all three groups (TD, ASD, DCD).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sensory Modulation in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder Compared to Autism Spectrum Disorder and Typically Developing Children

et al. 2022

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Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is one of the least studied and understood developmental disorders. One area that has been minimally investigated in DCD is potential issues with sensory modulation. Further, in other neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., autism spectrum disorder (ASD)) sensory modulation is related to many other challenges (e.g., social issues, repetitive behaviors, anxiety); however, such potential relationships in children with DCD have been largely unexplored. The purpose of this study is to explore sensory modulation differences in DCD and to understand the relationships between sensory modulation and social emotional measures, behavior, and motor skills in DCD in comparison to ASD and typically developing (TD) peers. Participants (aged 8–17) and their caregivers (DCD, N = 26; ASD, N = 57; and TD, N = 53) completed behavioral and clinical measures. The results indicated that 31% of the DCD group showed sensory modulation difficulties, with the DCD group falling between the ASD and TD groups. In the DCD group, sensory modulation was significantly associated with anxiety, empathic concern, repetitive behaviors, and motor skills. Data are compared to patterns seen in ASD and TD groups and implications for interventions are discussed.

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Motor performance, praxis, and social skills in autism spectrum disorder and developmental coordination disorder

et al. 2022

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Previous research has shown that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental coordination disorder (DCD) may have overlapping social and motor skill impairments. This study compares ASD, DCD, and typically developing (TD) youth on a range of social, praxis and motor skills, and investigates the relationship between these skills in each group. Data were collected on participants aged 8–17 (n = 33 ASD, n = 28 DCD, n = 35 TD). Overall, the clinical groups showed some similar patterns of social and motor impairments but diverged in praxis impairments, cognitive empathy, and Theory of Mind ability. When controlling for both social and motor performance impairments, the ASD group showed significantly lower accuracy on imitation of meaningful gestures and gesture to command, indicating a prominent deficit in these praxis skills in ASD. Lay Summary Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental coordination disorder (DCD) have social and motor skill impairments to varying degrees. This study compares ASD, DCD, and typically developing (TD) youth on a range of social, praxis, and motor skills. ASD and DCD shared similar patterns of gross and fine motor skills, but differed in skills related to making gestures. Specifically, our results also suggest that ASD has a prominent deficit in gesture performance and meaningful imitation compared to TD and DCD groups.

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Motor and sensory features successfully decode autism spectrum disorder and combine with the original RDoC framework to boost diagnostic classification

Cited by 17 publications

References 71 publications

Gaze and social functioning associations in autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Gaze and social functioning associations in autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Sensory Modulation in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder Compared to Autism Spectrum Disorder and Typically Developing Children

Motor performance, praxis, and social skills in autism spectrum disorder and developmental coordination disorder

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