Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Visual Feedback and Target Size Effects on Reach-to-Grasp Tasks in Children with Autism

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

Abstract

This study explores the effects of visual condition and target size during four reach-to-grasp tasks between autistic children and healthy controls. Twenty children with autism and 20 healthy controls participated in the study. Qualisys motion capture system and kinematic measures were used to record movement. Autistic group showed significantly longer movement time, larger normalized jerk score, more movement unit than controls, especially in non-visual feedback and small target blocks. Autistic group also showed significantly larger maximal grip aperture and normalized maximal grip aperture in visual feedback condition than controls. Autistic children demonstrate motor coordination problems and also depend on more visual cuing in high accuracy tasks. Autistic children develop other compensatory skills while performing tasks.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alberts, J. L., Saling, M., Adler, C. H., & Stelmach, G. E. (2000). Disruptions in the reach-to-grasp actions of Parkinson’s patients. Experimental Brain Research, 134(3), 353–362.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baranek, G. T., David, F. J., Poe, M. D., Stone, W. L., & Watson, L. R. (2006). Sensory experiences questionnaire: Discriminating sensory features in young children with autism, developmental delays, and typical development. [Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov’t]. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 47(6), 591–601. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2005.01546.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baranek, G. T., Parham, L. D., & Bodfish, J. W. (2005). Sensory and motor features in autism: assessment and intervention. In F. R. Volkmar, R. Paul, A. Klin, & D. Cohen (Eds.), Handbook of autism and pervasive developmental disorders (pp. 831–857). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chang, J. J., Wu, T. I., Wu, W. L., & Su, F. C. (2005). Kinematical measure for spastic reaching in children with cerebral palsy. Clinical Biomechanics, 20(4), 381–388.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Day, B. L., Thompson, P. D., Harding, A. E., & Marsden, C. D. (1998). Influence of vision on upper limb reaching movements in patients with cerebellar ataxia: Comparative study. Brain, 121, 357–372.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Desmurget, M., Grea, H., Grethe, J. S., Prablanc, C., Alexander, G. E., & Grafton, S. T. (2001). Functional anatomy of nonvisual feedback loops during reaching: a positron emission tomography study. [Clinical Trial Research Support, U.S. Gov’t, P.H.S.]. Journal of Neuroscience, 21(8), 2919–2928.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dowd, A. M., McGinley, J. L., Taffe, J. R., & Rinehart, N. J. (2012). Do planning and visual integration difficulties underpin motor dysfunction in autism? A kinematic study of young children with autism. [Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov’t]. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 42(8), 1539–1548. doi:10.1007/s10803-011-1385-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eigsti, I. M., & Shapiro, T. (2003). A systems neuroscience approach to autism: Biological, cognitive, and clinical perspectives. [Review]. Mental Retardation & Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews, 9(3), 205–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fasoli, S. E., Trombly, C. A., Tickle-Degnen, L., & Verfaellie, M. H. (2002). Effect of instructions on functional reach in persons with and without cerebrovascular accident. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 56(4), 380–390.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Forti, S., Valli, A., Perego, P., Nobile, M., Crippa, A., & Massimo, M. (2011). Motor planning and control in autism. A kinematic analysis of preschool children. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5, 834–842.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fuentes, C. T., Mostofsky, S. H., & Bastian, A. J. (2011). No proprioceptive deficits in autism despite movement-related sensory and execution impairments. [Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov’t]. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 41(10), 1352–1361. doi:10.1007/s10803-010-1161-1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghaziuddin, M., & Butler, E. (1998). Clumsiness in autism and Asperger syndrome: A further report. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 42, 43–48.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Glazebrook, C. M., Elliott, D., & Lyons, J. (2006). A kinematic analysis of how young adults with and without autism plan and control goal-directed movements. [Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov’t]. Motor Control, 10(3), 244–264.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Glazebrook, C., Gonzalez, D., Hansen, S., & Elliott, D. (2009). The role of vision for online control of manual aiming movements in persons with autism spectrum disorders. [Comparative Study Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov’t]. Autism, 13(4), 411–433. doi:10.1177/1362361309105659.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Green, D., Charman, T., Pickles, A., Chandler, S., Loucas, T., Simonoff, E., et al. (2009). Impairment in movement skills of children with autistic spectrum disorders. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 51(4), 311–316. doi:10.1111/j.1469-8749.2008.03242.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Huebner, R. A., & Lane, S. J. (2001). Neuropsychological findings, etiology and implications for autism. In R. A. Huebner (Ed.), Autism: A sensorimotor approach to management (pp. 61–99). Austin: ProEd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jakobson, L. S., & Goodale, M. A. (1991). Factors affecting higher-order movement planning: A kinematic analysis of human prehension. Experimental Brain Research, 86(1), 199–208.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Karl, J. M., Sacrey, L. A., Doan, J. B., & Whishaw, I. Q. (2012). Hand shaping using hapsis resembles visually guided hand shaping. [Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov’t]. Experimental Brain Research, 219(1), 59–74. doi:10.1007/s00221-012-3067-y.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kern, J. K., Trivedi, M. H., Garver, C. R., Grannemann, B. D., Andrews, A. A., Savla, J. S., et al. (2006). The pattern of sensory processing abnormalities in autism. [Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov’t]. Autism, 10(5), 480–494. doi:10.1177/1362361306066564.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kientz, M. A., & Dunn, W. (1997). A comparison of the performance of children with and without autism on the sensory profile. [Research Support, U.S. Gov’t, P.H.S.]. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 51(7), 530–537.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kuhtz-Buschbeck, J. P., Stolze, H., Boczek-Funcke, A., Johnk, K., Heinrichs, H., & Illert, M. (1998a). Kinematic analysis of prehension movements in children. Behavioural Brain Research, 93(1–2), 131–141.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kuhtz-Buschbeck, J. P., Stolze, H., Johnk, K., Boczek-Funcke, A., & Illert, M. (1998b). Development of prehension movements in children: A kinematic study. Experimental Brain Research, 122(4), 424–432.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leekam, S. R., Nieto, C., Libby, S. J., Wing, L., & Gould, J. (2007). Describing the sensory abnormalities of children and adults with autism. [Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov’t]. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 37(5), 894–910. doi:10.1007/s10803-006-0218-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, T. (2013). Sensory processing and motor skill performance in elementary school children with autism spectrum disorder. Perceptual & Motor Skills, 116(1), 197–209.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manjiviona, J., & Prior, M. (1995). Comparison of Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autistic children on a test of motor impairment. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 25(1), 23–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mari, M., Castiello, U., Marks, D., Marraffa, C., & Prior, M. (2003). The reach-to-grasp movement in children with autism spectrum disorder. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London–Series B: Biological Sciences, 358(1430), 393–403.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marteniuk, R. G., MacKenzie, C. L., Jeannerod, M., Athenes, S., & Dugas, C. (1987). Constraints on human arm movement trajectories. Canadian Journal of Psychology, 41(3), 365–378.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Minshew, N. J., Sung, K., Jones, B. L., & Furman, J. M. (2004). Underdevelopment of the postural control system in autism. Neurology, 63(11), 2056–2061.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miyahara, M., Tsujii, M., Hori, M., Nakanishi, K., Kageyama, H., & Sugiyama, T. (1997). Brief report: motor incoordination in children with Asperger syndrome and learning disabilities. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 27(5), 595–603.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Molloy, C. A., Dietrich, K. N., & Bhattacharya, A. (2003). Postural stability in children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 33(6), 643–652.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rand, M. K., Shimansky, Y., Stelmach, G. E., Bracha, V., & Bloedel, J. R. (2000). Effects of accuracy constraints on reach-to-grasp movements in cerebellar patients. [Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov’t Research Support, U.S. Gov’t, P.H.S.]. Experimental Brain Research, 135(2), 179–188.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rinehart, N. J., Bellgrove, M. A., Tonge, B. J., Brereton, A. V., Howells-Rankin, D., & Bradshaw, J. L. (2006). An examination of movement kinematics in young people with high-functioning autism and Asperger’s disorder: Further evidence for a motor planning deficit. [Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov’t]. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 36(6), 757–767. doi:10.1007/s10803-006-0118-x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shumway-Cook, A., & Woollacott, M. H. (2001). Motor control: Theory and practical applications. Baltimore MA: Lippincott Williams & Willkins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smyth, M. M., Anderson, H. I., & Churchill, A. C. (2001). Visual information and the control of reaching in children: A comparison between children with and without developmental coordination disorder. Journal of Motor Behavior, 33(3), 306–320.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stoit, A. M., van Schie, H. T., Slaats-Willemse, D. I., & Buitelaar, J. K. (2013). Grasping motor impairments in autism: Not action planning but movement execution is deficient. [Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov’t]. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 43(12), 2793–2806. doi:10.1007/s10803-013-1825-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tomchek, S. D. (2003). Assessment of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder utilizing a sensorimotor approach. In R. A. Huebner (Ed.), Autism: A sensorimotor approach to management (pp. 103–138). Austin: ProEd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomchek, S. D., & Dunn, W. (2007). Sensory processing in children with and without autism: A comparative study using the short sensory profile. [Comparative Study]. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 61(2), 190–200.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wing, A. M., Turton, A., & Fraser, C. (1986). Grasp size and accuracy of approach in reaching. Journal of Motor Behavior, 18(3), 245–260.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, C., Trombly, C. A., Lin, K., & Tickle-Degnen, L. (2000). A kinematic study of contextual effects on reaching performance in persons with and without stroke: Influences of object availability. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 81(1), 95–101.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan

    Hsiu-Ching Yang

  2. Department of Healthcare Administration and Medical Informatics, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

    I-Chen Lee

  3. Department of Occupational Therapy, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan

    I-Ching Lee

Authors
  1. Hsiu-Ching Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. I-Chen Lee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. I-Ching Lee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to I-Ching Lee.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Yang, HC., Lee, IC. & Lee, IC. Visual Feedback and Target Size Effects on Reach-to-Grasp Tasks in Children with Autism. J Autism Dev Disord 44, 3129–3139 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2165-z

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2165-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation