The co-occurrence of motor and language impairments in children evaluated for autism spectrum disorder. An explorative study from Norway.

Background: Current research suggest that motor and language impairments are common and closely related in infants with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In older children, less is known about how these impairments are related to each other.

Aims: The current study explored the co-occurrence and potential impact of motor and language impairments in a sample of school-aged children evaluated for ASD by Norwegian specialist health services.

Methods: Besides clinical evaluation for ASD, all participants (N = 20, mean age 10.7 (SD = 3.4) years) underwent a standardized test of motor performance (MABC-2), parent report measures of current motor (DCDQ'07), language (CCC-2), and social (SRS) skills, and a caregiver interview on everyday functioning, providing an overall impairment score (DD-CGAS).

Results: The majority (85%) had motor and/or structural language deficits in addition to their social impairment. All children identified with motor impairment on both measures (39%) also had structural language deficits. Better motor performance was strongly correlated with better structural language skills (r = .618, p = .006).

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that co-occurring motor and structural language deficits should be anticipated and assessed when evaluating children for ASD. These deficits may need specific interventions that complement those targeting social skills deficits and other ASD core symptoms.