Age-related gait development in children with autism spectrum disorder.

BACKGROUND

A better understanding of gait development and asymmetries in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may improve the development of treatment programs and thus, patient outcomes.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Does age affect walking kinematics and symmetry in children with ASD?

METHOD: Twenty-nine children (aged 6-14 years old) with mild ASD (level one) were recruited and assigned to one of the three groups based on their ages: 6-8 years (U8), 9-11 years (U11) and 12-14 years (U14). Walking kinematics were captured using an inertia measurement unit system placed bilaterally on participants' foot, lower leg, upper leg, upper arm, pelvis, and thoracic spine. Joint angles were computed and compared among the age groups. Symmetry angles were used to assess the gait symmetry and were compared among the age groups.

RESULTS

Older children exhibited less ankle dorsiflexion and knee flexion angles at heel-strike and greater plantarflexion angles at toe-off compared with younger children. In addition, a decreased pelvis and thorax axial rotation range of motion and increased shoulder flexion/extension range of motion were observed for older children. However, no age-related difference in gait symmetry was observed.

SIGNIFICANCE: These findings could suggest that older children with ASD may develop gait kinematics to a more energy-efficient walking pattern.