Measuring Dyspraxia in Autism using a Five-Minute Praxis Exam.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Difficulties with praxis, the ability to perform learned skilled movements, have been robustly demonstrated in autism spectrum disorder (autism). However, praxis assessment is not routinely included in autism characterization batteries, in part because it is traditionally time consuming to administer and score. We test whether dyspraxia in autism can be captured with a brief measure.

Method

Youth with autism (n = 41) and matched typically developing controls (n = 32), aged 8 to 16 years, completed a 5-minute praxis battery. The 19-item battery included four subtests: gesture to command, tool use, familiar imitation, and meaningless imitation. Video recordings were coded for error types and compared to participant characterization variables.

SUBMITTER: de Marchena A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10361395 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature