There is some evidence that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may have difficulty with coordination, although it is not a universally acknowledged symptom of the disorder.
Coordination involves the ability to coordinate the movement of different parts of the body in a coordinated and smooth manner, and this can be affected by various factors such as balance, muscle strength, and sensory processing.
Some studies have found that individuals with ASD have difficulty with fine motor coordination, which involves the ability to control small muscle movements, such as those needed for writing or buttoning a shirt. This can make everyday tasks such as getting dressed, writing and eating more challenging.
Additionally, research has found that individuals with autism have a harder time with gross motor coordination which includes activities such as running, jumping and climbing. These difficulties might be related to issues with balance and muscle tone, which are often seen in individuals with autism.
Sensory factors
Another factor that may contribute to coordination difficulties in individuals with ASD is difficulty processing sensory information. For example, individuals with autism may be oversensitive or undersensitive to different types of sensory input, such as touch or movement, which can affect their ability to coordinate their movements.
Additionally, some research suggest that individuals with autism may have difficulty with proprioception, which is the ability to sense where different parts of the body are in space. This can make it more challenging for them to coordinate their movements.
Some autistic people can have exceptional coordination
It is important to note that not all individuals with autism will have difficulty with coordination. Also, it’s quite a diverse population and some individuals may present with exceptional coordination and skill in some areas such as sports, art or music.
Therefore, it is important to recognise that coordination difficulties can vary greatly among individuals with autism, and they may or may not be a significant issue for an individual with autism.
Summing up
In conclusion, individuals with autism may have difficulty with coordination, but it’s not a definitive symptom of the disorder, and the degree to which it affects an individual can vary greatly.
The coordination difficulties that individuals with autism face can also be caused by other underlying factors such as muscle weakness, eyesight, balance issues, or difficulty processing sensory information. It’s important to remember that the diversity of the autism spectrum disorder will affect the way it presents in each individual.
For help with autism please feel free to browse our archive or the UK’s Autism Society‘s site.
