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Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders pp 3251–3253Cite as

Vestibular System in Autism

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Definition

Vestibular System

A system in the body that is responsible for maintaining balance, posture, and the body’s orientation in space. This system also regulates locomotion and other movements and keeps objects in visual focus as the body moves.

The vestibular system is comprised of the vestibular apparatus itself, the vestibulocochlear nerve, and those parts of the brain that interpret and respond to information derived from these structures.

Historical Background

Abnormal modulation of sensory input (over and under responding) has been a pathognomonic feature of autistic disorder (AD) since it was first described by Kanner (1968). Of particular note is the fact that response levels may not remain static, but can alternate over time in the same individual. This characteristic, called “Perceptual Inconstancy” (Ornitz & Ritvo, 1968) underlies the diagnostic criteria for AD listed in the DSM-IV-TR (American Psychiatric Association, 2000) as, “stereotyped and repetitive motor...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. UCLA School of Medicine, 300 Medical Plz, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Dr. Edward Ritvo (Professor Emeritus)

Authors
  1. Dr. Edward Ritvo
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Correspondence to Edward Ritvo .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Irving B. Harris Professor of Child Psychiatry, Pediatrics and Psychology Yale University School of Medicine, Chief, Child Psychiatry Children's Hospital at Yale-New Haven Child Study Center, New Haven, CT, USA

    Fred R. Volkmar (Director, Child Study Center) (Director, Child Study Center)

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© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Ritvo, E. (2013). Vestibular System in Autism. In: Volkmar, F.R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1698-3_211

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1698-3_211

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-1697-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-1698-3

  • eBook Packages: Behavioral Science

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